Polyesters containing particular phosphorus compounds blended with other polymers

ABSTRACT

Described as one aspect of the invention are polymer blends comprising at least one polyester wherein the polymer blend comprises:
         (A) a polyester composition comprising
           (I) at least one polyester (Polymer A) which comprises:
               (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and   (b) a glycol component comprising:   (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol residues; and   (ii) about 90 to about 10 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues;   
               (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the structure:   
               

     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         
           
             
               
                 wherein: 
                 n=an integer from 1 to 4; 
                 R can be hydrogen or C 1 -C 22 -alkyl; and 
                 R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C 1 -C 22 -alkyl, hydroxyl, or aryl; 
               
             
             wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, 
             wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and 
             wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.; and 
             (B) at least one polymeric component other than Polymer A.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to polyesters made fromterephthalic acid, or an ester thereof, and mixtures thereof, ethyleneglycol, and cyclohexanedimethanol, and a compound containing at leastone chelating phosphorus species and/or reaction products thereof and/orblends of these polyesters with other polymers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Glycol modified PET (PETG), a polyester based solely on terephthalicacid (TPA) or an ester thereof, ethylene glycol, andcyclohexanedimethanol, is known in the art and is commerciallyavailable.

PETG is sometimes produced with a catalyst/stabilizer system which,given the rates at which polymer is produced, yields a polymer thatbarely meets color specifications. If color formation increases further,however, the polymer has lower value. In order to assure good colorformation, a high purity terephthalic acid is sometimes used. Theproduction of this high purity TPA adds significant cost to the processas a whole.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a system which produces PETGcopolyesters with less color than the current catalyst/stabilizer system

There is also a need in the art for polymer blends containing such PETGcopolyesters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is believed that certain polyester compositions comprisingterephthalic acid, an ester thereof, and/or mixtures thereof,cyclohexanedimethanol, and ethylene glycol, further comprising at leastone chelating phosphorus species and/or reaction products thereof, aresuperior to certain polyesters known in the art with respect to goodcolor and/or clarity.

It is also believed that certain polymer blends containing the polyesterof the invention are also superior to certain polymer blends known inthe art with respect to good color and/or clarity

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 90 to about 10 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 20 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 80 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) greater than about 50 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) less than about 50 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol                residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 40 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 60 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 60 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 40 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 60 to about 75 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 25 to about 40 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 10 to about 90 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R is hydrogen; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:    -   (i) about 20 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol residues; and    -   (ii) about 20 to about 80 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol        residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R is hydrogen; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 60 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 40 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R is hydrogen; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) greater than about 50 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) less than about 50 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol                residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R is hydrogen; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 10 to about 90 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R is C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 20 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 80 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R is C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 60 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 40 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R is C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) greater than about 50 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) less than about 50 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol                residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R is C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 10 to about 90 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 is hydroxyl; and R2 can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl,            hydroxyl, or aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 20 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 80 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 is hydroxyl; and R2 can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl,            hydroxyl, or aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 60 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 40 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 is hydroxyl; and R2 can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl,            hydroxyl, or aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) greater than about 50 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) less than about 50 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol                residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 is hydroxyl; and R2 can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl,            hydroxyl, or aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 10 to about 90 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl;        -   R1 can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or aryl; and        -   R2 is C₁-C₂₂-alkyl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 20 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 80 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl;        -   R1 can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or aryl; and        -   R2 is C₁-C₂₂-alkyl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) greater than about 50 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) less than about 50 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol                residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl;        -   R1 can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or aryl; and        -   R2 is C₁-C₂₂-alkyl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 60 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 40 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl;        -   R1 can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or aryl; and        -   R2 is C₁-C₂₂-alkyl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 10 to about 90 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R is hydrogen;        -   R1 is hydroxyl; and        -   R2 is C₁-C₂₂-alkyl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 20 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 80 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R is hydrogen;        -   R1 is hydroxyl; and        -   R2 is C₁-C₂₂-alkyl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 60 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 40 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R is hydrogen;        -   R1 is hydroxyl; and        -   R2 is C₁-C₂₂-alkyl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) greater than about 50 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) less than about 50 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol                residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R is hydrogen;        -   R1 is hydroxyl; and        -   R2 is C₁-C₂₂-alkyl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 10 to about 90 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R is hydrogen;        -   R1 is hydroxyl; and        -   R2 is methyl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 20 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 80 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R is hydrogen;        -   R1 is hydroxyl; and        -   R2 is methyl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 60 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 40 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R is hydrogen;        -   R1 is hydroxyl; and        -   R2 is methyl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) greater than about 50 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) less than about 50 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol                residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R is hydrogen;        -   R1 is hydroxyl; and        -   R2 is methyl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 10 to about 90 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=1;        -   R is hydrogen;        -   R1 is hydroxyl; and        -   R2 is methyl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 20 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 80 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=1;        -   R is hydrogen;        -   R1 is hydroxyl; and        -   R2 is methyl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 60 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 40 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=1;        -   R is hydrogen;        -   R1 is hydroxyl; and        -   R2 is methyl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) greater than about 50 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) less than about 50 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol                residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=1;        -   R is hydrogen;        -   R1 is hydroxyl; and        -   R2 is methyl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 10 to about 90 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R, R1 and R2 are each hydrogen;            wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component            is 100 mole %,            wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole            %; and            wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35            to 1.2 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)            phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.25 g/50 ml            at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 10 to about 90 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=2;        -   R, R1 and R2 are each hydrogen;            wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component            is 100 mole %,            wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole            %; and            wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35            to 1.2 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)            phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.25 g/50 ml            at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 20 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 80 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=2;        -   R, R1 and R2 are each hydrogen;            wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component            is 100 mole %,            wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole            %; and            wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35            to 1.2 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)            phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.25 g/50 ml            at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 60 to about 80 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 20 to about 40 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=2;        -   R, R1 and R2 are each hydrogen;            wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component            is 100 mole %,            wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole            %; and            wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35            to 1.2 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)            phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.25 g/50 ml            at 25° C.

In one aspect, the invention provides a polyester compositioncomprising:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester which comprises:        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) greater than about 50 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) less than about 50 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol                residues;    -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and    -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction        products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the        structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=2;        -   R, R1 and R2 are each hydrogen;            wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component            is 100 mole %,            wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole            %; and            wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35            to 1.2 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)            phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.25 g/50 ml            at 25° C.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the titanium catalyst can beeither substituted with or supplemented with a metal catalyst which doesnot contain titanium.

In certain embodiments, the ratios of phosphorus atoms to titanium atomscan be from 1:1 to 5:1.

In certain embodiments, the ratios of phosphorus atoms to titanium atomscan be from 2:1.

In one aspect, any of processes described herein for making thepolyester compositions and/or polyesters comprise at least one of thechelating phosphorus species described herein.

In the blends of the invention, any of the polyester describehereinabove or hereinbelow may be blend with at least one polymercomponent other than the polyesters of the invention.

In one aspect of the invention, a polymer blend is provided whichcomprises:

-   -   (A) a polyester composition comprising        -   (I) at least one polyester (Polymer A) which comprises:            -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and            -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 90 to about 10 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;        -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and        -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction            products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the            structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.; and

-   -   (B) at least one polymeric component other than Polymer A        (Polymer B).

In one aspect of the invention, a polymer blend is provided whichcomprises:

-   -   (A) a polyester composition comprising        -   (I) at least one polyester (Polymer A) which comprises:            -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and            -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 90 to about 10 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;        -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and        -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction            products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the            structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.; and

-   -   (B) at least one polycarbonate (Polymer B).

In one aspect of the invention, a polymer blend is provided whichcomprises:

-   -   (A) a polyester comprising        -   (I) at least one polyester (Polymer A) which comprises:            -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and            -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol                residues; and            -   (ii) about 90 to about 10 mole % of                cyclohexanedimethanol residues;        -   (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and        -   (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction            products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the            structure:

-   -   -   wherein:        -   n=an integer from 1 to 4;        -   R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and        -   R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or            aryl;

wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%,

wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and

wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.; and

-   -   (B) at least one bisphenol A polycarbonate (Polymer B).

In another aspect of the invention, the polymer blend comprises about 40weight % to about 80 weight % of Polymer A and about 20 to about 60weight % of Polymer B, wherein the total weight percentages equal 100weight % of the polymer blend.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the polymer blend comprisesabout 50 weight % to about 70 weight % of Polymer A and about 30 toabout 50 weight % of Polymer B, wherein the total weight percentagesequal 100 weight % of the polymer blend.

In one aspect, the polyester blends are useful in articles ofmanufacture including, but not limited to, extruded, calendered, and/ormolded articles including, but not limited to, injection moldedarticles, extruded articles, cast extrusion articles, profile extrusionarticles, melt spun articles, thermoformed articles, extrusion moldedarticles, injection blow molded articles, injection stretch blow moldedarticles, extrusion blow molded articles and extrusion stretch blowmolded articles. These articles can include, but are not limited to,films, bottles, containers, sheet and/or fibers.

In one aspect, the polyester compositions useful in the invention may beused in various types of film and/or sheet, including but not limited toextruded film(s) and/or sheet(s), calendered film(s) and/or sheet(s),compression molded film(s) and/or sheet(s), solution casted film(s)and/or sheet(s). Methods of making film and/or sheet include but are notlimited to extrusion, calendering, compression molding, and solutioncasting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to thefollowing detailed description of certain embodiments of the inventionand the working examples. In accordance with the purpose(s) of thisinvention, certain embodiments of the invention are described in theSummary of the Invention and are further described herein below. Also,other embodiments of the invention are described herein.

This invention relates to the use of a chelating phosphorus species inconjunction with a transition metal catalyst species to effect thesynthesis of a polyester. The term “chelating phosphorus species”implies that two or more phosphorus atoms are tethered together by oneor more linking atoms and that the geometry of the molecule is such thatboth phosphorus atoms can coordinate through a P—O-M bond to thecatalyst metal used for polymerization, where M is a catalyst metal and,in one embodiment, can be titanium.

In one embodiment, the chelating phosphorus species is represented byStructure II as follows:

wherein:n=an integer from 1 to 4;R can be hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; andR1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or aryl.

In one embodiment, the chelating phosphorus species is represented byStructure I as follows:

wherein:n=an integer from 1 to 4; andR1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or aryl.

The term “aryl” is used herein to denote an aromatic radical containing6, 10 or 14 carbon atoms in the conjugated aromatic ring structure andthese radicals substituted with one or more groups selected fromC₁-C₆-alkyl; C₁-C₆-alkoxy; phenyl, and phenyl substituted withC₁-C₆-alkyl; C₁-C₆-alkoxy; halogen and the like; C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl;halogen; hydroxy, cyano, trifluoromethyl and the like. Typical arylgroups can be phenyl, naphthyl, phenylnaphthyl, anthryl (anthracenyl)and the like.

The term “C₁-C₂₂-alkyl”, as used herein, denotes a saturated hydrocarbonradical which contains one to twenty-two carbons and which may bestraight or branched-chain. Such C₁-C₂₂ alkyl groups can be methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, isopropyl, isobutyl,tertbutyl, neopentyl, 2-ethylheptyl, 2-ethylhexyl, and the like. Theterm “substituted C₁-C₂₂-alkyl” refers to C₁-C₂₂-alkyl radicals asdescribed above which may be substituted with one or more substituentsselected from hydroxy, halogen, cyano, aryl, heteroaryl,C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₂-C₆alkanoyloxy and the like.

The term “C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl”, is used herein to denote a cycloaliphatichydrocarbon radical containing three to eight carbon atoms. The term“substituted C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl” is used to describe a C₃-C₈-cycloalkylradical as detailed above containing at least one group selected fromC₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, hydroxy, halogen, and the like.

The term “heteroaryl” is used to describe conjugated cyclic radicalscontaining at least one hetero atom selected from sulfur, oxygen,nitrogen or a combination of these in combination with from two to aboutten carbon atoms and these heteroaryl radicals substituted with thegroups mentioned above as possible substituents on the aryl radical.Typical heteroaryl radicals include: 2- and 3-furyl, 2- and 3-thienyl,2- and 3-pyrrolyl, 2-, 3-, and 4-pyridyl, benzothiophen-2-yl;benzothiazol-2-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl, benzimidazol-2-yl,1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl, 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl, 1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl,isothiazol-5-yl, imidazol-2-yl, quinolyl and the like.

The terms “C₁-C₆-alkoxy” and “C₂-C₆-alkanoyloxy” are used herein torepresent the groups —O—C₁-C₆-alkyl and —OCOC₁-C₆-alkyl, respectively,wherein “C₁-C₆-alkyl” denotes a saturated hydrocarbon that contains 1-6carbon atoms, which may be straight or branched-chain, and which may befurther substituted with one or more groups selected from halogen,methoxy, ethoxy, phenyl, hydroxy, acetyloxy and propionyloxy. The term“halogen” is used to represent fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine;however, chlorine and bromine are preferred.

The term “C₂-C₂₂-alkylene” is used herein to denote a divalenthydrocarbon radical that contains from two to twenty-two carbons andwhich may be straight or branched chain and which may be substitutedwith one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, halogen,C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₂-C₆-alkanoyloxy and aryl. The term “C₃-C₈-cycloalkylene”is used herein to denote divalent cycloaliphatic radicals containingthree to eight carbon atoms and these are optionally substituted withone or more C₁-C₆-alkyl groups. The term “arylene” is used to denote1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-phenylene radicals and these optionally substitutedwith C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy and halogen.

In one embodiment, the chelating phosphorus species is represented byStructure III as follows:

In one embodiment, the chelating phosphorus species is a dialkylsubstituted diphosphinic acid. In another embodiment, the dialkylsubstituted diphosphinic acid can be at least one of 1,2-ethylenediphosphonic acid, 1,2-butylene diphosphonic acid, P,P′-di(2-ethylhexyl)methanediphosphonic acid, P,P′-di(2-ethylhexyl)methanediphosphonic acid, and P, P′-di(2-ethylhexyl)butanediphosphonic acid.

In one embodiment, ratios of phosphorus atoms to titanium atoms can befrom 1:1 to 5:1. In another embodiment, the ratio of phosphorus atoms totitanium atoms is 2:1. Note that a phosphorus to titanium atom ratio of2:1 implies a phosphorus species to titanium species ratio of 1:1.

In one embodiment, the invention involves the use of dialkyl substituteddiphosphonic acid in conjunction with a Ti(IV) catalyst such as titaniumtetraisopropoxide, for polyester synthesis, in a ratio appropriate toallow for rapid polymerization but at the same time attenuating polymercolor more so than an un-tethered phosphorus compound such as merpol A.Merpol A is a phosphate ester commercially available from StepanChemical Co and/or E.I. duPont de Nemours & Co. The CAS Registry numberfor Merpol A is believed to be CAS Registry #37208-27-8.

In embodiment, the improvement to color is reduction of yellowness.

The titanium compounds useful in this invention include any compoundcontaining titanium including but not limited to: tetraethyl titanate,titanium tetraethylate, acetyltripropyl titanate, tetrapropyl titanate,tetrabutyl titanate, polybutyl titanate, 2-ethylhexyltitanate,octyleneglycol titanate, lactate titanate, triethanolamine titanate,acetyl triisopropyl titanate, titanium tetra-isopropylate,acetylacetonate titanate, ethylacetoacetic ester titanate, isostearyltitanate, acetyl triisopropyl titanate, titanium tetraisopropoxide,titanium glycolates, titanium butoxide, hexylene glycol titanate, andtetraisooctyl titanate, titanium dioxide, titanium dioxide/silicondioxide coprecipitates, and titanium dioxide/zirconium dioxidecoprecipitates. This invention includes but is not limited to thetitanium dioxide/silicon dioxide coprecipitate catalyst described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,559,272.

The polymer compositions consist of terephthalic acid-based copolyesterswhich contain as major glycol components ethylene glycol and cyclohexanedimethanol, but may also include modifying glycols such as2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (TMCD).

In one embodiment of the invention, the copolyester comprises greaterthan 50 mole % ethylene glycol and less than 50 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylicacid component is 100 mole %, and wherein the total mole % of the glycolcomponent is 100 mole %.

In one embodiment of the invention, the copolyester comprises 10 to 90mole % ethylene glycol and 10 to 90 mole % 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol,wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %.

In one embodiment of the invention, the copolyester comprises 20 to 80mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 80 mole % 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol,wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %.

In one embodiment of the invention, the copolyester comprises 40 to 80mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 60 mole % 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol,wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %.

In one embodiment of the invention, the copolyester comprises 50 to 80mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 50 mole % 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol,wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %.

In one embodiment of the invention, the copolyester comprises 60 to 80mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 40 mole % 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol,wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %.

In one embodiment of the invention, the copolyester comprises 60 to 75mole % ethylene glycol and 25 to 40 mole % 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol,wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %.

In some of the embodiments of the invention, the polyesters have aunique combination of the properties of good color and goodprocessability. In some embodiments, the polymer lines can be run atfaster speeds and/or higher temperatures and still achieve good color.

The term “polyester”, as used herein, is intended to include“copolyesters” and is understood to mean a synthetic polymer prepared bythe reaction of one or more difunctional carboxylic acids and/ormultifunctional carboxylic acids with one or more difunctional hydroxylcompounds and/or multifunctional hydroxyl compounds. Typically thedifunctional carboxylic acid can be a dicarboxylic acid and thedifunctional hydroxyl compound can be a dihydric alcohol such as, forexample, glycols and diols. The term “glycol” as used herein includes,but is not limited to, diols, glycols, and/or multifunctional hydroxylcompounds, for example, branching agents Alternatively, the difunctionalcarboxylic acid may be a hydroxy carboxylic acid such as, for example,p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and the difunctional hydroxyl compound may be anaromatic nucleus bearing 2 hydroxyl substituents such as, for example,hydroquinone. The term “residue”, as used herein, means any organicstructure incorporated into a polymer through a polycondensation and/oran esterification reaction from the corresponding monomer. The term“repeating unit”, as used herein, means an organic structure having adicarboxylic acid residue and a diol residue bonded through acarbonyloxy group. Thus, for example, the dicarboxylic acid residues maybe derived from a dicarboxylic acid monomer or its associated acidhalides, esters, salts, anhydrides, and/or mixtures thereof.Furthermore, as used herein, the term “diacid” includes multifunctionalacids, for example, branching agents. As used herein, therefore, theterm “dicarboxylic acid” is intended to include dicarboxylic acids andany derivative of a dicarboxylic acid, including its associated acidhalides, esters, half-esters, salts, half-salts, anhydrides, mixedanhydrides, and/or mixtures thereof, useful in a reaction process with adiol to make polyester. As used herein, the term “terephthalic acid” isintended to include terephthalic acid itself and residues thereof aswell as any derivative of terephthalic acid, including its associatedacid halides, esters, half-esters, salts, half-salts, anhydrides, mixedanhydrides, and/or mixtures thereof or residues thereof useful in areaction process with a diol to make polyester.

The polyesters used in the present invention typically can be preparedfrom dicarboxylic acids and diols which react in substantially equalproportions and are incorporated into the polyester polymer as theircorresponding residues. The polyesters of the present invention,therefore, can contain substantially equal molar proportions of acidresidues (100 mole %) and diol (and/or multifunctional hydroxylcompound) residues (100 mole %) such that the total moles of repeatingunits is equal to 100 mole %. The mole percentages provided in thepresent disclosure, therefore, may be based on the total moles of acidresidues, the total moles of diol residues, or the total moles ofrepeating units. For example, a polyester containing 30 mole %isophthalic acid, based on the total acid residues, means the polyestercontains 30 mole % isophthalic acid residues out of a total of 100 mole% acid residues. Thus, there are 30 moles of isophthalic acid residuesamong every 100 moles of acid residues. In another example, a polyestercontaining 30 mole % 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, based on the total diolresidues, means the polyester contains 30 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues out of a total of 100 mole % diolresidues. Thus, there are 30 moles of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residuesamong every 100 moles of diol residues.

In other aspects of the invention, the Tg of the polyesters useful inthe polyester compositions of the invention can be at least one of thefollowing ranges: 60 to 200° C.; 60 to 190° C.; 60 to 180° C.; 60 to170° C.; 60 to 160° C.; 60 to 155° C.; 60 to 150° C.; 60 to 145° C.; 60to 140° C.; 60 to 138° C.; 60 to 135° C.; 60 to 130° C.; 60 to 125° C.;60 to 120° C.; 60 to 115° C.; 60 to 110° C.; 60 to 105° C.; 60 to 100°C.; 60 to 95° C.; 60 to 90° C.; 60 to 85° C.; 60 to 80° C.; 60 to 75°C.; 65 to 200° C.; 65 to 190° C.; 65 to 180° C.; 65 to 170° C.; 65 to160° C.; 65 to 155° C.; 65 to 150° C.; 65 to 145° C.; 65 to 140° C.; 65to 138° C.; 65 to 135° C.; 65 to 130° C.; 65 to 125° C.; 65 to 120° C.;65 to 115° C.; 65 to 110° C.; 65 to 105° C.; 65 to 100° C.; 65 to 95°C.; 65 to 90° C.; 65 to 85° C.; 65 to 80° C.; 65 to 75° C.; 70 to 200°C.; 70 to 190° C.; 70 to 180° C.; 70 to 170° C.; 70 to 160° C.; 70 to155° C.; 70 to 150° C.; 70 to 145° C.; 70 to 140° C.; 70 to 138° C.; 70to 135° C.; 70 to 130° C.; 70 to 125° C.; 70 to 120° C.; 70 to 115° C.;70 to 110° C.; 70 to 105° C.; 70 to 100° C.; 70 to 95° C.; 70 to 90° C.;70 to 85° C.; 70 to 80° C.; 70 to 75° C.; 75 to 200° C.; 75 to 190° C.;75 to 180° C.; 75 to 170° C.; 75 to 160° C.; 75 to 155° C.; 75 to 150°C.; 75 to 145° C.; 75 to 140° C.; 75 to 138° C.; 75 to 135° C.; 75 to130° C.; 75 to 125° C.; 75 to 120° C.; 75 to 115° C.; 75 to 110° C.; 75to 105° C.; 75 to 100° C.; 75 to 95° C.; 75 to 90° C.; 75 to 85° C.; 75to 80° C.; 80 to 200° C.; 80 to 190° C.; 80 to 180° C.; 80 to 170° C.;80 to 160° C.; 80 to 155° C.; 80 to 150° C.; 80 to 145° C.; 80 to 140°C.; 80 to 138° C.; 80 to 135° C.; 80 to 130° C.; 80 to 125° C.; 80 to120° C.; 80 to 115° C.; 80 to 110° C.; 80 to 105° C.; 80 to 100° C.; 80to 95° C.; 80 to 90° C.; 80 to 85° C.; 85 to 200° C.; 85 to 190° C.; 85to 180° C.; 85 to 170° C.; 85 to 160° C.; 85 to 155° C.; 85 to 150° C.;85 to 145° C.; 85 to 140° C.; 85 to 138° C.; 85 to 135° C.; 85 to 130°C.; 85 to 125° C.; 85 to 120° C.; 85 to 115° C.; 85 to 110° C.; 85 to105° C.; 85 to 100° C.; 85 to 95° C.; 85 to 90° C.; 90 to 200° C.; 90 to190° C.; 90 to 180° C.; 90 to 170° C.; 90 to 160° C.; 90 to 155° C.; 90to 150° C.; 90 to 145° C.; 90 to 140° C.; 90 to 138° C.; 90 to 135° C.;90 to 130° C.; 90 to 125° C.; 90 to 120° C.; 90 to 115° C.; 90 to 110°C.; 90 to 105° C.; 90 to 100° C.; 90 to 95° C.; 95 to 200° C.; 95 to190° C.; 95 to 180° C.; 95 to 170° C.; 95 to 160° C.; 95 to 155° C.; 95to 150° C.; 95 to 145° C.; 95 to 140° C.; 95 to 138° C.; 95 to 135° C.;95 to 130° C.; 95 to 125° C.; 95 to 120° C.; 95 to 115° C.; 95 to 110°C.; 95 to 105° C.; 95 to 100° C.; 100 to 200° C.; 100 to 190° C.; 100 to180° C.; 100 to 170° C.; 100 to 160° C.; 100 to 155° C.; 100 to 150° C.;100 to 145° C.; 100 to 140° C.; 100 to 138° C.; 100 to 135° C.; 100 to130° C.; 100 to 125° C.; 100 to 120° C.; 100 to 115° C.; 100 to 110° C.;105 to 200° C.; 105 to 190° C.; 105 to 180° C.; 105 to 170° C.; 105 to160° C.; 105 to 155° C.; 105 to 150° C.; 105 to 145° C.; 105 to 140° C.;105 to 138° C.; 105 to 135° C.; 105 to 130° C.; 105 to 125° C.; 105 to120° C.; 105 to 115° C.; 105 to 110° C.; 110 to 200° C.; 110 to 190° C.;110 to 180° C.; 110 to 170° C.; 110 to 160° C.; 110 to 155° C.; 110 to150° C.; 110 to 145° C.; 110 to 140° C.; 110 to 138° C.; 110 to 135° C.;110 to 130° C.; 110 to 125° C.; and 110 to 120° C.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 10 to 90 mole %ethylene glycol and 10 to 90 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 10 to 85 mole% ethylene glycol and 15 to 90 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 10 to 80mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 90 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 10 to75 mole % ethylene glycol and 25 to 90 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 10to 70 mole % ethylene glycol and 30 to 90 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol;10 to 65 mole % ethylene glycol and 35 to 90 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; 10 to 60 mole % ethylene glycol and 40 to 90 mole% cyclohexanedimethanol; 10 to 55 mole % ethylene glycol and 45 to 90mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; and 10 to 50 mole % ethylene glycol and 50to 90 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 15 to 90 mole %ethylene glycol and 10 to 85 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 15 to 85 mole% ethylene glycol and 15 to 85 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 15 to 80mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 85 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 15 to75 mole % ethylene glycol and 25 to 85 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 15to 70 mole % ethylene glycol and 30 to 85 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol;15 to 65 mole % ethylene glycol and 35 to 85 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; 15 to 60 mole % ethylene glycol and 40 to 85 mole% cyclohexanedimethanol; 15 to 55 mole % ethylene glycol and 45 to 85mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; and 15 to 50 mole % ethylene glycol and 50to 85 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 20 to 90 mole %ethylene glycol and 10 to 80 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 20 to 85 mole% ethylene glycol and 15 to 80 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 20 to 80mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 80 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 20 to75 mole % ethylene glycol and 25 to 80 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 20to 70 mole % ethylene glycol and 30 to 80 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol;20 to 65 mole % ethylene glycol and 35 to 80 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; 20 to 60 mole % ethylene glycol and 40 to 80 mole% cyclohexanedimethanol; 20 to 55 mole % ethylene glycol and 45 to 80mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; and 20 to 50 mole % ethylene glycol and 50to 80 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 25 to 90 mole %ethylene glycol and 10 to 75 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 25 to 85 mole% ethylene glycol and 15 to 75 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 25 to 80mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 75 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 25 to75 mole % ethylene glycol and 25 to 75 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 25to 70 mole % ethylene glycol and 30 to 75 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol;25 to 65 mole % ethylene glycol and 35 to 75 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; 25 to 60 mole % ethylene glycol and 40 to 75 mole% cyclohexanedimethanol; 25 to 55 mole % ethylene glycol and 45 to 74mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; and 25 to 50 mole % ethylene glycol and 50to 75 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 30 to 90 mole %ethylene glycol and 10 to 70 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 30 to 85 mole% ethylene glycol and 15 to 70 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 30 to 80mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 70 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 30 to75 mole % ethylene glycol and 25 to 70 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 30to 70 mole % ethylene glycol and 30 to 70 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol;30 to 65 mole % ethylene glycol and 35 to 70 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; 30 to 60 mole % ethylene glycol and 40 to 70 mole% cyclohexanedimethanol; 30 to 55 mole % ethylene glycol and 45 to 70mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; and 30 to 50 mole % ethylene glycol and 50to 70 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 35 to 90 mole %ethylene glycol and 10 to 65 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 35 to 85 mole% ethylene glycol and 15 to 65 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 35 to 80mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 65 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 35 to75 mole % ethylene glycol and 25 to 65 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 35to 70 mole % ethylene glycol and 30 to 65 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol;35 to 65 mole % ethylene glycol and 35 to 65 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; 35 to 60 mole % ethylene glycol and 40 to 65 mole% cyclohexanedimethanol; 35 to 55 mole % ethylene glycol and 45 to 65mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; and 35 to 50 mole % ethylene glycol and 50to 65 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 40 to 90 mole %ethylene glycol and 10 to 60 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 40 to 85 mole% ethylene glycol and 15 to 60 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 40 to 80mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 60 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 40 to75 mole % ethylene glycol and 25 to 60 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 40to 70 mole % ethylene glycol and 30 to 60 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol;40 to 65 mole % ethylene glycol and 35 to 60 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; 40 to 60 mole % ethylene glycol and 40 to 60 mole% cyclohexanedimethanol; 40 to 55 mole % ethylene glycol and 45 to 60mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; and 40 to 50 mole % ethylene glycol and 50to 60 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 45 to 90 mole %ethylene glycol and 10 to 55 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 45 to 85 mole% ethylene glycol and 15 to 55 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 45 to 80mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 55 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 45 to75 mole % ethylene glycol and 25 to 55 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 45to 70 mole % ethylene glycol and 30 to 55 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol;45 to 65 mole % ethylene glycol and 35 to 55 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; 45 to 60 mole % ethylene glycol and 40 to 55 mole% cyclohexanedimethanol; and 45 to 55 mole % ethylene glycol and 45 to55 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 50 to 90 mole %ethylene glycol and 10 to 50 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 50 to 85 mole% ethylene glycol and 15 to 50 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 50 to 80mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 50 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 50 to75 mole % ethylene glycol and 25 to 50 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 50to 70 mole % ethylene glycol and 30 to 50 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol;50 to 65 mole % ethylene glycol and 35 to 50 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; and 50 to 60 mole % ethylene glycol and 40 to 50mole % cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: greater than 50 to 99mole % ethylene glycol and 1 to less than 50 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; greater than 50 to 95 mole % ethylene glycol and5 to less than 50 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; greater than 50 to 90mole % ethylene glycol and 10 to less than 50 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; greater than 50 to 85 mole % ethylene glycol and15 to less than 50 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; greater than 50 to 80mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to less than 50 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; greater than 50 to 75 mole % ethylene glycol and25 to less than 50 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; greater than 50 to 70mole % ethylene glycol and 30 to less than 50 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; greater than 50 to 65 mole % ethylene glycol and35 to less than 50 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; greater than 50 to 60mole % ethylene glycol and 40 to less than 50 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: greater than 51 to 99mole % ethylene glycol and 1 to less than 49 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; greater than 51 to 95 mole % ethylene glycol and5 to less than 49 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; greater than 51 to 90mole % ethylene glycol and 10 to less than 49 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; greater than 51 to 85 mole % ethylene glycol and15 to less than 49 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; greater than 51 to 80mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to less than 49 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; greater than 51 to 75 mole % ethylene glycol and25 to less than 49 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; greater than 51 to 70mole % ethylene glycol and 30 to less than 49 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; greater than 51 to 65 mole % ethylene glycol and35 to less than 49 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; greater than 51 to 60mole % ethylene glycol and 40 to less than 49 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 55 to 99 mole %ethylene glycol and 1 to 45 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 55 to 95 mole% ethylene glycol and 5 to 45 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 55 to 90mole % ethylene glycol and 10 to 45 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 55 to85 mole % ethylene glycol and 15 to 45 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 55to 80 mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 45 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol;55 to 75 mole % ethylene glycol and 25 to 45 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; 55 to 70 mole % ethylene glycol and 30 to 45 mole% cyclohexanedimethanol; 55 to 65 mole % ethylene glycol and 35 to 45mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; and 55 to 60 mole % ethylene glycol and 40to 45 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 60 to 99 mole %ethylene glycol and 1 to 40 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 60 to 95 mole% ethylene glycol and 5 to 40 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 60 to 90mole % ethylene glycol and 10 to 40 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 60 to85 mole % ethylene glycol and 15 to 40 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 60to 80 mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 40 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol;60 to 75 mole % ethylene glycol and 25 to 40 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; and 60 to 70 mole % ethylene glycol and 30 to 40mole % cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 65 to 99 mole %ethylene glycol and 1 to 35 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 65 to 95 mole% ethylene glycol and 5 to 35 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 65 to 90mole % ethylene glycol and 10 to 35 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 65 to85 mole % ethylene glycol and 15 to 35 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 65to 80 mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 35 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol;65 to 75 mole % ethylene glycol and 25 to 35 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol; and 65 to 70 mole % ethylene glycol and 30 to 35mole % cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 70 to 99 mole %ethylene glycol and 1 to 30 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 70 to 95 mole% ethylene glycol and 5 to 30 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 70 to 90mole % ethylene glycol and 10 to 30 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 70 to85 mole % ethylene glycol and 15 to 30 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 70to 80 mole % ethylene glycol and 20 to 30 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol;70 to 75 mole % ethylene glycol and 25 to 30 mole %cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 75 to 99 mole %ethylene glycol and 1 to 25 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 75 to 95 mole% ethylene glycol and 5 to 25 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 75 to 90mole % ethylene glycol and 10 to 25 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; and 75to 85 mole % ethylene glycol and 15 to 25 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for thepolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 80 to 99 mole %ethylene glycol and 1 to 20 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 80 to 95 mole% ethylene glycol and 5 to 20 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol; 80 to 90mole % ethylene glycol and 10 to 20 mole % cyclohexanedimethanol.

For embodiments of the invention, the polyesters useful in the inventionmay exhibit at least one of the following inherent viscosities asdetermined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentrationof 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.: 0.10 to 1.2 dL/g; 0.35 to 1.2 dL/g; 0.50 to1.2 dL/g; 0.50 to 1.1 dL/g; 0.50 to 1 dL/g; 0.50 to less than 1 dL/g;0.50 to 0.98 dL/g; 0.50 to 0.95 dL/g; 0.50 to 0.90 dL/g; 0.50 to 0.85dL/g; 0.50 to 0.80 dL/g; 0.50 to 0.75 dL/g; 0.50 to less than 0.75 dL/g;0.50 to 0.72 dL/g; 0.50 to 0.70 dL/g; 0.50 to less than 0.70 dL/g; 0.50to 0.68 dL/g; 0.50 to less than 0.68 dL/g; 0.50 to 0.65 dL/g; 0.55 to1.2 dL/g; 0.55 to 1.1 dL/g; 0.55 to 1 dL/g; 0.55 to less than 1 dL/g;0.55 to 0.98 dL/g; 0.55 to 0.95 dL/g; 0.55 to 0.90 dL/g; 0.55 to 0.85dL/g; 0.55 to 0.80 dL/g; 0.55 to 0.75 dL/g; 0.55 to less than 0.75 dL/g;0.55 to 0.72 dL/g; 0.55 to 0.70 dL/g; 0.55 to less than 0.70 dL/g; 0.55to 0.68 dL/g; 0.55 to less than 0.68 dL/g; 0.55 to 0.65 dL/g; 0.60 to1.2 dL/g; 0.60 to 1.1 dL/g; 0.60 to 1 dL/g; 0.60 to less than 1 dL/g;0.60 to 0.98 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.95 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.90 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.85dL/g; 0.60 to 0.80 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.75 dL/g; 0.60 to less than 0.75 dL/g;0.60 to 0.72 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.70 dL/g; 0.60 to less than 0.70 dL/g; 0.60to 0.68 dL/g; 0.60 to less than 0.68 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.65 dL/g; 0.65 to1.2 dL/g; 0.65 to 1.1 dL/g; 0.65 to 1 dL/g; 0.65 to less than 1 dL/g;0.65 to 0.98 dL/g; 0.65 to 0.95 dL/g; 0.65 to 0.90 dL/g; 0.65 to 0.85dL/g; 0.65 to 0.80 dL/g; 0.65 to 0.75 dL/g; 0.65 to less than 0.75 dL/g;0.65 to 0.72 dL/g;

It is contemplated that compositions useful in the invention can possessat least one of the inherent viscosity ranges described herein and atleast one of the monomer ranges for the compositions described hereinunless otherwise stated. It is also contemplated that compositionsuseful in the invention can possess at least one of the Tg rangesdescribed herein and at least one of the monomer ranges for thecompositions described herein unless otherwise stated. It is alsocontemplated that compositions useful in the invention can possess atleast one of the inherent viscosity ranges described herein, at leastone of the Tg ranges described herein, and at least one of the monomerranges for the compositions described herein unless otherwise stated.

In one embodiment, terephthalic acid may be used as the startingmaterial. In another embodiment, dimethyl terephthalate may be used asthe starting material. In yet another embodiment, mixtures ofterephthalic acid and dimethyl terephthalate may be used as the startingmaterial and/or as an intermediate material.

In certain embodiments, terephthalic acid or an ester thereof, such as,for example, dimethyl terephthalate or a mixture of terephthalic acidresidues and an ester thereof can make up a portion or all of thedicarboxylic acid component used to form the polyesters useful in theinvention. In certain embodiments, terephthalic acid residues can makeup a portion or all of the dicarboxylic acid component used to form thepolyesters useful in the invention. In certain embodiments, higheramounts of terephthalic acid can be used in order to produce a higherimpact strength polyester. For purposes of this disclosure, the terms“terephthalic acid” and “dimethyl terephthalate” are usedinterchangeably herein. In one embodiment, dimethyl terephthalate ispart or all of the dicarboxylic acid component used to make thepolyesters useful in the present invention. In all embodiments, rangesof from 70 to 100 mole %; or 80 to 100 mole %; or 90 to 100 mole %; or99 to 100 mole %; or 100 mole % terephthalic acid and/or dimethylterephthalate and/or mixtures thereof may be used.

In addition to terephthalic acid, the dicarboxylic acid component of thepolyester useful in the invention can comprise up to 30 mole %, up to 20mole %, up to 10 mole %, up to 5 mole %, or up to 1 mole % of one ormore modifying aromatic dicarboxylic acids. Yet another embodimentcontains 0 mole % modifying aromatic dicarboxylic acids. Thus, ifpresent, it is contemplated that the amount of one or more modifyingaromatic dicarboxylic acids can range from any of these precedingendpoint values including, for example, from 0.01 to 30 mole %, 0.01 to20 mole %, from 0.01 to 10 mole %, from 0.01 to 5 mole % and from 0.01to 1 mole %. In one embodiment, modifying aromatic dicarboxylic acidsthat may be used in the present invention include but are not limited tothose having up to 20 carbon atoms, and which can be linear,para-oriented, or symmetrical. Examples of modifying aromaticdicarboxylic acids which may be used in this invention include, but arenot limited to, isophthalic acid, 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid, 1,4-,1,5-, 2,6-, 2,7-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, andtrans-4,4′-stilbenedicarboxylic acid, and esters thereof. In oneembodiment, the modifying aromatic dicarboxylic acid is isophthalicacid.

The carboxylic acid component of the polyesters useful in the inventioncan be further modified with up to 10 mole %, such as up to 5 mole % orup to 1 mole % of one or more aliphatic dicarboxylic acids containing2-16 carbon atoms, such as, for example, cyclohexanedicarboxylic,malonic, succinic, glutaric, adipic, pimelic, suberic, azelaic anddodecanedioic dicarboxylic acids. Certain embodiments can also comprise0.01 to 10 mole %, such as 0.1 to 10 mole %, 1 or 10 mole %, 5 to 10mole % of one or more modifying aliphatic dicarboxylic acids. Yetanother embodiment contains 0 mole % modifying aliphatic dicarboxylicacids. The total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole%. In one embodiment, adipic acid and/or glutaric acid are provided inthe modifying aliphatic dicarboxylic acid component of the invention.

The modifying dicarboxylic acids of the invention can include indandicarboxylic acids, for example, indan-1,3-dicarboxylic acids and/orphenylindan dicarboxylic acids. In one embodiment, the dicarboxylic acidmay be chosen from at least one of1,2,3-trimethyl-3-phenylindan-4′,5-dicarboxylic acid and1,1,3-trimethyl-5-carboxy-3-(4-carboxyphenyl)indan dicarboxylic acid.For the purposes of this invention, any of the indan dicarboxylic acidsdescribed in United States Patent Application Publication No.2006/0004151A1 entitled “Copolymers Containing Indan Moieties and BlendsThereof” by Shaikh et al., assigned to General Electric Company may beused as at least one modifying dicarboxylic acid within the scope ofthis invention; United States Patent Application Publication No.2006/0004151A1 is incorporated herein by reference with respect to anyof the indan dicarboxylic acids described therein.

Esters of terephthalic acid and the other modifying dicarboxylic acidsor their corresponding esters and/or salts may be used instead of thedicarboxylic acids. Suitable examples of dicarboxylic acid estersinclude, but are not limited to, the dimethyl, diethyl, dipropyl,diisopropyl, dibutyl, and diphenyl esters. In one embodiment, the estersare chosen from at least one of the following: methyl, ethyl, propyl,isopropyl, and phenyl esters.

For the desired polyester, the molar ratio of cis/trans2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol can vary from the pure form ofeach and mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the molar percentagesfor cis and/or trans 2,2,4,4,-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol aregreater than 50 mole % cis and less than 50 mole % trans; or greaterthan 55 mole % cis and less than 45 mole % trans; or 30 to 70 mole % cisand 70 to 30 mole % trans; or 40 to 60 mole % cis and 60 to 40 mole %trans; or 50 to 70 mole % trans and 50 to 30 mole % cis; or 50 to 70mole % cis and 50 to 30 mole % trans; or 60 to 70 mole % cis and 30 to40 mole % trans; or greater than 70 mole % cis and less than 30 mole %trans; wherein the total mole percentages for cis- andtrans-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol is equal to 100 mole %. Inan additional embodiment, the molar ratio of cis/trans2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol can vary within the range of50/50 to 0/100, for example, between 40/60 to 20/80.

The cyclohexanedimethanol may be cis, trans, or a mixture thereof, forexample, a cis/trans ratio of 60:40 to 40:60 or a cis/trans ratio of70:30 to 30:70. In another embodiment, the trans-cyclohexanedimethanolcan be present in an amount of 60 to 80 mole % and thecis-cyclohexanedimethanol can be present in an amount of 20 to 40 mole %wherein the total percentages of cis-cyclohexanedimethanol andtrans-cyclohexanedimethanol is equal to 100 mole %. In particularembodiments, the trans-cyclohexanedimethanol can be present in an amountof 60 mole % and the cis-cyclohexanedimethanol can be present in anamount of 40 mole %. In particular embodiments, thetrans-cyclohexanedimethanol can be present in an amount of 70 mole % andthe cis-cyclohexanedimethanol can be present in an amount of 30 mole %.Any of 1,1-, 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4-isomers of cyclohexanedimethanol ormixtures thereof may be present in the glycol component of thisinvention. In one embodiment, the polyesters useful in the inventioncomprise 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. In another embodiment, thepolyesters useful in the invention comprise 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanoland 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol. The molar ratio of cis/trans1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol can vary within the range of 50/50 to 0/100,for example, between 40/60 to 20/80.

In one embodiment, the glycol component of the polyester portion of thepolyester compositions useful in the invention can contain modifyingglycols which are not ethylene glycol or cyclohexanedimethanol; in oneembodiment, the glycol component of the polyester portion of thepolyester compositions useful in the invention can contain less than 45mole % of one or more modifying glycols which are not ethylene glycol orcyclohexanedimethanol; in one embodiment, the glycol component of thepolyester portion of the polyester compositions useful in the inventioncan contain 30 mole % or less of one or more modifying glycols which arenot ethylene glycol or cyclohexanedimethanol; in one embodiment, theglycol component of the polyester portion of the polyester compositionsuseful in the invention can contain 25 mole % or less of one or moremodifying glycols which are not ethylene glycol orcyclohexanedimethanol; in one embodiment, the glycol component of thepolyester portion of the polyester compositions useful in the inventioncan contain 20 mole % or less of one or more modifying glycols which arenot ethylene glycol or cyclohexanedimethanol; in one embodiment, thepolyesters useful in the invention may contain less than 15 mole % or ofone or more modifying glycols. In another embodiment, the polyestersuseful in the invention can contain 10 mole % or less of one or moremodifying glycols. In another embodiment, the polyesters useful in theinvention can contain 5 mole % or less of one or more modifying glycols.In another embodiment, the polyesters useful in the invention cancontain 3 mole % or less of one or more modifying glycols. In anotherembodiment, the polyesters useful in the invention can contain 0 mole %modifying glycols.

In one embodiment, the glycol component of the polyester portion of thepolyester compositions useful in the invention can contain modifyingglycols which is 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol; in oneembodiment, the glycol component of the polyester portion of thepolyester compositions useful in the invention can contain less than 45mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; in oneembodiment, the glycol component of the polyester portion of thepolyester compositions useful in the invention can contain 30 mole % orless of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; in oneembodiment, the glycol component of the polyester portion of thepolyester compositions useful in the invention can contain 25 mole % orless of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; in oneembodiment, the glycol component of the polyester portion of thepolyester compositions useful in the invention can contain 20 mole % orless of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; in oneembodiment, the polyesters useful in the invention may contain less than15 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues. Inanother embodiment, the polyesters useful in the invention can contain10 mole % or less of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues.In another embodiment, the polyesters useful in the invention cancontain 5 mole % or less of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediolresidues. In another embodiment, the polyesters useful in the inventioncan contain 3 mole % or less of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediolresidues. In another embodiment, the polyesters useful in the inventioncan contain 0 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediolresidues.

Certain embodiments of the polyesters in the invention can also contain0.01 to 45 mole %, 0.01 to 40 mole %, 0.01 to 35 mole %, 0.01 to 30 mole%, 0.01 to 25 mole %, 0.01 to 20 mole %, 0.01 to 15 mole %, 0.01 to 10mole %, 0.01 to 5 mole %, of one or more modifying glycols. Any of theseembodiments can contain 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol as themodifying glycol.

Certain embodiments of the polyesters in the invention can also contain1 to 45 mole %, 1 to 40 mole %, 1 to 35 mole %, 1 to 30 mole %, 1 to 25mole %, 1 to 20 mole %, 1 to 15 mole %, 1 to 10 mole %, 1 to 5 mole %,of one or more modifying glycols. Any of these embodiments can contain2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol as the modifying glycol.

Certain embodiments of the polyesters in the invention can also contain5 to 45 mole %, 5 to 40 mole %, 5 to 35 mole %, 5 to 30 mole %, 5 to 25mole %, 5 to 20 mole %, 5 to 15 mole %, 5 to 10 mole %, of one or moremodifying glycols. Any of these embodiments can contain2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol as the modifying glycol.

Certain embodiments of the polyesters in the invention can also contain10 to 45 mole %, 10 to 40 mole %, 10 to 35 mole %, 10 to 30 mole %, to25 mole %, 10 to 20 mole %, of one or more modifying glycols. Any ofthese embodiments can contain 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol asthe modifying glycol.

Certain embodiments of the polyesters in the invention can also contain15 to 45 mole %, 15 to 40 mole %, 15 to 35 mole %, 15 to 30 mole %, to25 mole %, of one or more modifying glycols. Any of these embodimentscan contain 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol as the modifyingglycol.

Certain embodiments of the polyesters in the invention can also contain20 to 45 mole %, 20 to 40 mole %, 20 to 35 mole %, 20 to 30 mole %, ofone or more modifying glycols. Any of these embodiments can contain2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol as the modifying glycol.

Certain embodiments of the polyesters in the invention can also contain25 to 45 mole %, 25 to 40 mole %, 25 to 35 mole %, of one or moremodifying glycols. Any of these embodiments can contain2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol as the modifying glycol.

Certain embodiments of the polyesters in the invention can also contain30 to 45 mole %, 30 to 40 mole %, 30 to 35 mole %, of one or moremodifying glycols. Any of these embodiments can contain2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol as the modifying glycol.

Modifying glycols useful in the polyesters useful in the invention referto diols other than ethylene glycol and cyclohexanedimethanol and cancontain 2 to 16 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable modifying glycolsinclude, but are not limited to, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediolresidues, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, neopentyl glycol,1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, p-xylene glycol,polytetramethylene glycol, and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment,the modifying glycols include, but are not limited to, at least one of1,3-propanediol and 1,4-butanediol. In another embodiment,1,3-propanediol and 1,4-butanediol are excluded as modifying diols.Again, in any of the aforementioned ranges of modifying glycols,2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol can be the modifying glycol.

The polyesters and/or the polycarbonates useful in the polyesterscompositions of the invention can comprise from 0 to 10 mole percent,for example, from 0.01 to 5 mole percent, from 0.01 to 1 mole percent,from 0.05 to 5 mole percent, from 0.05 to 1 mole percent, or from 0.1 to0.7 mole percent, based the total mole percentages of either the diol ordiacid residues; respectively, of one or more residues of a branchingmonomer, also referred to herein as a branching agent, having 3 or morecarboxyl substituents, hydroxyl substituents, or a combination thereof.In certain embodiments, the branching monomer or agent may be addedprior to and/or during and/or after the polymerization of the polyester.The polyester(s) useful in the invention can thus be linear or branched.The polycarbonate can also be linear or branched. In certainembodiments, the branching monomer or agent may be added prior to and/orduring and/or after the polymerization of the polycarbonate.

Examples of branching monomers include, but are not limited to,multifunctional acids or multifunctional alcohols such as trimelliticacid, trimellitic anhydride, pyromellitic dianhydride,trimethylolpropane, glycerol, pentaerythritol, citric acid, tartaricacid, 3-hydroxyglutaric acid and the like. In one embodiment, thebranching monomer residues can comprise 0.1 to 0.7 mole percent of oneor more residues chosen from at least one of the following: trimelliticanhydride, pyromellitic dianhydride, glycerol, sorbitol,1,2,6-hexanetriol, pentaerythritol, trimethylolethane, and/or trimesicacid. The branching monomer may be added to the polyester reactionmixture or blended with the polyester in the form of a concentrate asdescribed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,654,347 and 5,696,176, whosedisclosure regarding branching monomers is incorporated herein byreference.

The polyesters of the invention can comprise at least one chainextender. Suitable chain extenders include, but are not limited to,multifunctional (including, but not limited to, bifunctional)isocyanates, multifunctional epoxides, including for example, epoxylatednovolacs, and phenoxy resins. In certain embodiments, chain extendersmay be added at the end of the polymerization process or after thepolymerization process. If added after the polymerization process, chainextenders can be incorporated by compounding or by addition duringconversion processes such as injection molding or extrusion. The amountof chain extender used can vary depending on the specific monomercomposition used and the physical properties desired but is generallyabout 0.1 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight, such as about0.1 to about 5 percent by weight, based on the total weight of thepolyester.

The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polyesters useful in theinvention was determined using a TA DSC 2920 from Thermal AnalystInstrument at a scan rate of 20° C./min.

Polyesters useful in the present invention, can be used to producearticles of manufacture, including but not limited to, injection moldedparts, injection blow molded articles, injection stretch blow moldedarticles, extruded film, extruded sheet, extrusion blow molded articles,extrusion stretch blow molded articles, and fibers. A thermoformablesheet is an example of an article of manufacture provided by thisinvention.

The polyesters of the invention can be amorphous or semicrystalline. Inone aspect, certain polyesters useful in the invention can haverelatively low crystallinity. Certain polyesters useful in the inventioncan thus have a substantially amorphous morphology, meaning that thepolyesters comprise substantially unordered regions of polymer.

In one embodiment, an “amorphous” polyester can have a crystallizationhalf-time of greater than 5 minutes at 170° C. or greater than 10minutes at 170° C. or greater than 50 minutes at 170° C. or greater than100 minutes at 170° C. In one embodiment, of the invention, thecrystallization half-times can be greater than 1,000 minutes at 170° C.In another embodiment of the invention, the crystallization half-timesof the polyesters useful in the invention can be greater than 10,000minutes at 170° C. The crystallization half time of the polyester, asused herein, may be measured using methods well-known to persons ofskill in the art. For example, the crystallization half time of thepolyester, t ½, can be determined by measuring the light transmission ofa sample via a laser and photo detector as a function of time on atemperature controlled hot stage. This measurement can be done byexposing the polymers to a temperature, Tmax, and then cooling it to thedesired temperature. The sample can then be held at the desiredtemperature by a hot stage while transmission measurements are made as afunction of time. Initially, the sample can be visually clear with highlight transmission and becomes opaque as the sample crystallizes. Thecrystallization half-time is the time at which the light transmission ishalfway between the initial transmission and the final transmission.Tmax is defined as the temperature required to melt the crystallinedomains of the sample (if crystalline domains are present). The samplecan be heated to Tmax to condition the sample prior to crystallizationhalf time measurement. The absolute Tmax temperature is different foreach composition. For example PCT can be heated to some temperaturegreater than 290° C. to melt the crystalline domains.

In one embodiment, certain polyesters useful in this invention can bevisually clear. The term “visually clear” is defined herein as anappreciable absence of cloudiness, haziness, and/or muddiness, wheninspected visually. In another embodiment, when the polyesters areblended with polycarbonate, including but not limited to, bisphenol Apolycarbonates, the blends can be visually clear.

In other embodiments of the invention, the polyesters useful in theinvention may have a yellowness index (ASTM D-1925) of less than 50 orless than 20.

In one embodiment, the polyesters useful in the invention and/or thepolyester compositions of the invention and/or the polyester blends,with or without toners, can have color values L*, a* and b* which can bedetermined using a Hunter Lab Ultrascan Spectra Colorimeter manufacturedby Hunter Associates Lab Inc., Reston, Va. The color determinations areaverages of values measured on either pellets of the polyesters orplaques or other items injection molded or extruded from them. They aredetermined by the L*a*b* color system of the CIE (InternationalCommission on Illumination) (translated), wherein L* represents thelightness coordinate, a* represents the red/green coordinate, and b*represents the yellow/blue coordinate. In certain embodiments, the b*values for the polyesters useful in the invention can be from −10 toless than 10 and the L* values can be from 50 to 90. In otherembodiments, the b* values for the polyesters or polyester compositionsor polymer blends useful in the invention can be present in one of thefollowing ranges: from −10 to 9; −10 to 8; −10 to 7; −10 to 6; −10 to 5;−10 to 4; −10 to 3; −10 to 2; from −5 to 9; −5 to 8; −5 to 7; −5 to 6;−5 to 5; −5 to 4; −5 to 3; −5 to 2; 0 to 9; 0 to 8; 0 to 7; 0 to 6; 0 to5; 0 to 4; 0 to 3; 0 to 2; 1 to 10; 1 to 9; 1 to 8; 1 to 7; 1 to 6; 1 to5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3; and 1 to 2. In other embodiments, the L* value forthe polyesters or polyester compositions or polymer blends useful in theinvention can be present in one of the following ranges: 50 to 60; 50 to70; 50 to 80; 50 to 90; 60 to 70; 60 to 80; 60 to 90; 70 to 80; 79 to90.

Amounts of chelating phosphorus species added during polymerization orpost manufacturing can include but are not limited to: 1 to 5000 ppm; 1to 1000 ppm, 1 to 900 ppm, 1 to 800 ppm, 1 to 700 ppm. 1 to 600 ppm, 1to 500 ppm, 1 to 400 ppm, 1 to 350 ppm, 1 to 300 ppm, 1 to 250 ppm, 1 to200 ppm, 1 to 150 ppm, 1 to 100 ppm; 10 to 5000 ppm; 10 to 1000 ppm, 10to 900 ppm, 10 to 800 ppm, 10 to 700 ppm. 10 to 600 ppm, 10 to 500 ppm,10 to 400 ppm, 10 to 350 ppm, 10 to 300 ppm, 10 to 250 ppm, 10 to 200ppm, 10 to 150 ppm, 10 to 100 ppm; based on the total weight of thepolyester composition.

In one embodiment, amounts of chelating phosphorus species of theinvention added during polymerization are chosen from the following: 1to 5000 ppm; 1 to 1000 ppm, 1 to 900 ppm, 1 to 800 ppm, 1 to 700 ppm. 1to 600 ppm, 1 to 500 ppm, 1 to 400 ppm, 1 to 350 ppm, 1 to 300 ppm, 1 to250 ppm, 1 to 200 ppm, 1 to 150 ppm, 1 to 100 ppm; 1 to 60 ppm; 2 to5000 ppm; 2 to 1000 ppm, 2 to 900 ppm, 2 to 800 ppm, 2 to 700 ppm. 2 to600 ppm, 2 to 500 ppm, 2 to 400 ppm, 2 to 350 ppm, 2 to 300 ppm, 2 to250 ppm, 2 to 200 ppm, 2 to 150 ppm, 2 to 100 ppm; 2 to 60 ppm; 2 to 20ppm, 3 to 5000 ppm; 3 to 1000 ppm, 3 to 900 ppm, 3 to 800 ppm, 3 to 700ppm. 3 to 600 ppm, 3 to 500 ppm, 3 to 400 ppm, 3 to 350 ppm, 3 to 300ppm, 3 to 250 ppm, 3 to 200 ppm, 3 to 150 ppm, 3 to 100 ppm; 3 to 60ppm; 3 to 20 ppm, 4 to 5000 ppm; 4 to 1000 ppm, 4 to 900 ppm, 4 to 800ppm, 4 to 700 ppm, 4 to 600 ppm, 4 to 500 ppm, 4 to 400 ppm, 4 to 350ppm, 4 to 300 ppm, 4 to 250 ppm, 4 to 200 ppm, 4 to 150 ppm, 4 to 100ppm; 4 to 60 ppm; 4 to 20 ppm, 5 to 5000 ppm; 5 to 1000 ppm, 5 to 900ppm, 5 to 800 ppm, 5 to 700 ppm, 5 to 600 ppm, 5 to 500 ppm, 5 to 400ppm, 5 to 350 ppm, 5 to 300 ppm, 5 to 250 ppm, 5 to 200 ppm, 5 to 150ppm, 5 to 100 ppm; 5 to 60 ppm; 5 to 20 ppm, 6 to 5000 ppm; 6 to 1000ppm, 6 to 900 ppm, 6 to 800 ppm, 6 to 700 ppm, 6 to 600 ppm, 6 to 500ppm, 6 to 400 ppm, 6 to 350 ppm, 6 to 300 ppm, 6 to 250 ppm, 6 to 200ppm, 6 to 150 ppm, 6 to 100 ppm; 6 to 60 ppm; 6 to 20 ppm, 7 to 5000ppm; 7 to 1000 ppm, 7 to 900 ppm, 7 to 800 ppm, 7 to 700 ppm, 7 to 600ppm, 7 to 500 ppm, 7 to 400 ppm, 7 to 350 ppm, 7 to 300 ppm, 7 to 250ppm, 7 to 200 ppm, 7 to 150 ppm, 7 to 100 ppm; 7 to 60 ppm; 7 to 20 ppm,8 to 5000 ppm; 8 to 1000 ppm, 8 to 900 ppm, 8 to 800 ppm, 8 to 700 ppm,8 to 600 ppm, 8 to 500 ppm, 8 to 400 ppm, 8 to 350 ppm, 8 to 300 ppm, 8to 250 ppm, 8 to 200 ppm, 8 to 150 ppm, 8 to 100 ppm; 8 to 60 ppm; 8 to20 ppm, 9 to 5000 ppm; 9 to 1000 ppm, 9 to 900 ppm, 9 to 800 ppm, 9 to700 ppm, 9 to 600 ppm, 9 to 500 ppm, 9 to 400 ppm, 9 to 350 ppm, 9 to300 ppm, 9 to 250 ppm, 9 to 200 ppm, 9 to 150 ppm, 9 to 100 ppm; 9 to 60ppm; 9 to 20 ppm, 10 to 5000 ppm; 10 to 1000 ppm, 10 to 900 ppm, 10 to800 ppm, 10 to 700 ppm. 10 to 600 ppm, 10 to 500 ppm, 10 to 400 ppm, 10to 350 ppm, 10 to 300 ppm, 10 to 250 ppm, 10 to 200 ppm, 10 to 150 ppm,10 to 100 ppm, 10 to 60 ppm, 10 to 20 ppm, 50 to 5000 ppm, 50 to 1000ppm, 50 to 900 ppm, 50 to 800 ppm, 50 to 700 ppm, 50 to 600 ppm, 50 to500 ppm, 50 to 400 ppm, 50 to 350 ppm, 50 to 300 ppm, 50 to 250 ppm, 50to 200 ppm, 50 to 150 ppm, 50 to 100 ppm; 50 to 80 ppm, 100 to 5000 ppm,100 to 1000 ppm, 100 to 900 ppm, 100 to 800 ppm, 100 to 700 ppm, 100 to600 ppm, 100 to 500 ppm, 100 to 400 ppm, 100 to 350 ppm, 100 to 300 ppm,100 to 250 ppm, 100 to 200 ppm, 100 to 150 ppm; 150 to 5000 ppm, 150 to1000 ppm, 150 to 900 ppm, 150 to 800 ppm, 150 to 700 ppm, 150 to 600ppm, 150 to 500 ppm, 150 to 400 ppm, 150 to 350 ppm, 150 to 300 ppm, 150to 250 ppm, 150 to 200 ppm, 200 to 5000 ppm, 200 to 1000 ppm, 200 to 900ppm, 200 to 800 ppm, 200 to 700 ppm, 200 to 600 ppm, 200 to 500 ppm, 200to 400 ppm, 200 to 350 ppm, 200 to 300 ppm, 200 to 250 ppm, 250 to 5000ppm, 250 to 1000 ppm, 250 to 900 ppm, 250 to 800 ppm, 250 to 700 ppm,250 to 600 ppm, 250 to 500 ppm, 250 to 400 ppm, 250 to 350 ppm, 250 to300 ppm, 500 to 5000 ppm, 300 to 1000 ppm, 300 to 900 ppm, 300 to 800ppm, 300 to 700 ppm, 300 to 600 ppm, 300 to 500 ppm, 300 to 400 ppm, 300to 350 ppm, 350 to 5000 ppm, 350 to 1000 ppm, 350 to 900 ppm, 350 to 800ppm, 350 to 700 ppm, 350 to 600 ppm, 350 to 500 ppm, 350 to 400 ppm;based on the total weight of the polyester and as measured in the formof phosphorus atoms in the final polyester.

The invention further relates to a polymer blend which can comprise anyamount of the polyesters useful in the invention blended with any otherpolymer. In one embodiment, the blend comprises:

-   -   (a) from 0 to 95 weight % of at least one of the polyesters        described above (Polymer A); and    -   (b) from 5 to 100 weight % of at least one of polymeric        components (Polymer B).

In one embodiment, the blend comprises:

-   -   (a) from 0.01 to 95 weight % of at least one of the polyesters        described above (Polymer A); and    -   (b) from 0.01 to 95 weight % of at least one of polymeric        components (Polymer B).

In one embodiment, the blend comprises:

-   -   (a) from 5 to 95 weight % of at least one of the polyesters        (Polymer A) described above; and    -   (b) from 5 to 95 weight % of at least one of polymeric        components (Polymer B).

The polymer blend can include components other than Polymers A and B. Inaddition, when Polymer B is a polycarbonate, the total weight % ofPolymers A and B is 100 weight percent of Polymers A and B. If othercomponents besides Polymers A and B (where polymer B is polycarbonate)are added to the polymer blend, the total weight of all components willequal 100 weight percent of the total polymer blend. In one embodiment,if an article of manufacture contains the polymer blend, it iscontemplated that some articles of manufacture may have portions thatcontain the polymer blend and portions that do not contain the polymerblend. In another embodiment, it is also contemplated that an article ofmanufacture can be manufactured from only the polymer blend.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention cancomprise: 5 to 90 weight % of Polymer A and 10 to 95 weight of PolymerB; 5 to 85 weight % of Polymer A and 15 to 90 weight % of Polymer B; 10to 80 weight % of Polymer A and 20 to 95 weight % of Polymer B; 5 to 75weight % of Polymer A and 25 to 95 weight % of Polymer B; 5 to 70 weight% of Polymer A and 30 to 95 weight % of Polymer B; 5 to 65 weight % ofPolymer A and 35 to 95 weight % of Polymer B; 5 to 60 weight % ofPolymer A and 40 to 95 weight % of Polymer B; 5 to 55 weight % ofPolymer A and 45 to 95 weight % of Polymer B; and 5 to 50 weight % ofPolymer A and 50 to 95 weight % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: 10 to 90 weight % of Polymer A and 10 to 90 weight of Polymer B;10 to 85 weight % of Polymer A and 15 to 90 weight % of Polymer B; 10 to80 weight % of Polymer A and 20 to 90 weight % of Polymer B; 10 to 75weight % of Polymer A and 25 to 90 weight % of Polymer B; 10 to 70weight % of Polymer A and 30 to 90 weight % of Polymer B; 10 to 65weight % of Polymer A and 35 to 90 weight % of Polymer B; 10 to 60weight % of Polymer A and 40 to 90 weight % of Polymer B; 10 to 55weight % of Polymer A and 45 to 90 weight % of Polymer B; and 10 to 50weight % of Polymer A and 50 to 90 weight % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: 15 to 90 weight % of Polymer A and 10 to 85 weight % of PolymerB; 15 to 85 weight % of Polymer A and 15 to 85 weight % of Polymer B; 15to 80 weight % of Polymer A of and 20 to 85 weight % of Polymer B; 15 to75 weight % of Polymer A and 25 to 85 weight % of Polymer B; 15 to 70weight % of Polymer A and 30 to 85 weight % of Polymer B; 15 to 65weight % of Polymer A and 35 to 85 weight % of Polymer B; 15 to 60weight % of Polymer A and 40 to 85 weight % of Polymer B; 15 to 55weight % of Polymer A and 45 to 85 weight % of Polymer B; and 15 to 50weight % of Polymer A and 50 to 85 weight % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: 20 to 90 weight % of Polymer A and 10 to 80 weight % of PolymerB; 20 to 85 weight % of Polymer A and 15 to 80 weight % of Polymer B; 20to 80 weight % of Polymer A and 20 to 80 weight % of Polymer B; 20 to 75weight % of Polymer A and 25 to 80 weight % of Polymer B; 20 to 70weight % of Polymer A and 30 to 80 weight % of Polymer B; 20 to 65weight % of Polymer A and 35 to 80 weight % of Polymer B; 20 to 60 mole% of Polymer A and 40 to 80 mole % of Polymer B; 20 to 55 mole % ofPolymer A and 45 to 80 mole % of Polymer B; and 20 to 50 mole of PolymerA and 50 to 80 mole % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: 25 to 90 weight % of Polymer A and 10 to 75 weight % of PolymerB; 25 to 85 weight % of Polymer A and 15 to 75 weight % of Polymer B; 25to 80 weight % of Polymer A and 20 to 75 weight % of Polymer B; 25 to 75weight % of Polymer A and 25 to 75 weight % of Polymer B; 25 to 70weight % of Polymer A and 30 to 75 weight % of Polymer B; 25 to 65weight % of Polymer A and 35 to 75 weight % of Polymer B; 25 to 60weight % of Polymer A and 40 to 75 weight % of Polymer B; 25 to 55weight % of Polymer A and 45 to 74 weight % of Polymer B; and 25 to 50weight % of Polymer A and 50 to 75 weight % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: 30 to 90 weight % of Polymer A and 10 to 70 weight % of PolymerB; 30 to 85 weight % of Polymer A and 15 to 70 weight % of Polymer B; 30to 80 weight % of Polymer A and 20 to 70 weight % of Polymer B; 30 to 75weight % of Polymer A and 25 to 70 weight % of Polymer B; 30 to 70weight % of Polymer A and 30 to 70 weight % of Polymer B; 30 to 65weight % of Polymer A and 35 to 70 weight % of Polymer B; 30 to 60weight % of Polymer A and 40 to 70 weight % of Polymer B; 30 to 55weight % of Polymer A and 45 to 70 weight % of Polymer B; and 30 to 50weight % of Polymer A and 50 to 70 weight % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: 35 to 90 weight % of Polymer A and 10 to 65 weight % of PolymerB; 35 to 85 weight % of Polymer A and 15 to 65 weight % of Polymer B; 35to 80 weight % of Polymer A and 20 to 65 weight % of Polymer B; 35 to 75weight % of Polymer A and 25 to 65 weight % of Polymer B; 35 to 70weight % of Polymer A and 30 to 65 weight % of Polymer B; 35 to 65weight % of Polymer A and 35 to 65 weight % of Polymer B; 35 to 60weight % of Polymer A and 40 to 65 weight % of Polymer B; 35 to 55weight % of Polymer A and 45 to 65 weight % of Polymer B; and 35 to 50weight % of Polymer A and 50 to 65 weight % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: 40 to 90 weight % of Polymer A and 10 to 60 weight % of PolymerB; 40 to 85 weight % of Polymer A and 15 to 60 weight % of Polymer B; 40to 80 weight % of Polymer A and 20 to 60 weight % of Polymer B; 40 to 75weight % of Polymer A and 25 to 60 weight % of Polymer B; 40 to 70weight % of Polymer A and 30 to 60 weight % of Polymer B; 40 to 65weight % of Polymer A and 35 to 60 weight % of Polymer B; 40 to 60weight % of Polymer A and 40 to 60 weight % of Polymer B; 40 to 55weight % of Polymer A and 45 to 60 weight % of Polymer B; and 40 to 50weight % of Polymer A and 50 to 60 weight % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: 45 to 90 weight % of Polymer A and 10 to 55 weight % of PolymerB; 45 to 85 weight % of Polymer A and 15 to 55 weight % of Polymer B; 45to 80 weight % of Polymer A and 20 to 55 weight % of Polymer B; 45 to 75weight % of Polymer A and 25 to 55 weight % of Polymer B; 45 to 70weight % of Polymer A and 30 to 55 weight % of Polymer B; 45 to 65weight % of Polymer A and 35 to 55 weight % of Polymer B; 45 to 60weight % of Polymer A and 40 to 55 weight % of Polymer B; and 45 to 55weight % of Polymer A and 45 to 55 weight % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: 50 to 90 weight % of Polymer A and 10 to 50 weight % of PolymerB; 50 to 85 weight % of Polymer A and 15 to 50 weight % of Polymer B; 50to 80 weight % of Polymer A and 20 to 50 weight % of Polymer B; 50 to 75weight % of Polymer A and 25 to 50 weight % of Polymer B; 50 to 70weight % of Polymer A and 30 to 50 weight % of Polymer B; 50 to 65weight % of Polymer A and 35 to 50 weight % of Polymer B; and 50 to 60weight % of Polymer A and 40 to 50 weight % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: greater than 50 to 99 weight % of Polymer A and 1 to less than50 weight % of Polymer B; greater than 50 to 95 weight % of Polymer Aand 5 to less than 50 weight % of Polymer B; greater than 50 to 90weight % of Polymer A and 10 to less than 50 weight % of Polymer B;greater than 50 to 85 weight % of Polymer A and 15 to less than 50weight % of Polymer B; greater than 50 to 80 weight % of Polymer A and20 to less than 50 weight % of Polymer B; greater than 50 to 75 weight %of Polymer A and 25 to less than 50 weight % of Polymer B; greater than50 to 70 weight % of Polymer A and 30 to less than 50 weight % ofPolymer B; greater than 50 to 65 weight % of Polymer A and 35 to lessthan 50 weight % of Polymer B; greater than 50 to 60 weight % of PolymerA and 40 to less than 50 weight % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: greater than 51 to 99 weight % of Polymer A and 1 to less than49 weight % of Polymer B; greater than 51 to 95 weight % of Polymer Aand 5 to less than 49 weight % of Polymer B; greater than 51 to 90weight % of Polymer A and 10 to less than 49 weight % of Polymer B;greater than 51 to 85 weight % of Polymer A and 15 to less than 49weight % of Polymer B; greater than 51 to 80 weight % of Polymer A and20 to less than 49 weight % of Polymer B; greater than 51 to 75 weight %of Polymer A and 25 to less than 49 weight % of Polymer B; greater than51 to 70 weight % of Polymer A and 30 to less than 49 weight % ofPolymer B; greater than 51 to 65 weight % of Polymer A and 35 to lessthan 49 weight % of Polymer B; greater than 51 to 60 weight % of PolymerA and 40 to less than 49 weight % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: 55 to 99 weight % of Polymer A and 1 to 45 weight % of PolymerB; 55 to 95 weight % of Polymer A and 5 to 45 weight % of Polymer B; 55to 90 weight % of Polymer A and 10 to 45 weight % of Polymer B; 55 to 85weight % of Polymer A 15 to 45 weight % of Polymer B; 55 to 80 weight %of Polymer A and 20 to 45 weight % of Polymer B; 55 to 75 weight % ofPolymer A and 25 to 45 weight % of Polymer B; 55 to 70 weight % ofPolymer A and 30 to 45 weight % of Polymer B; 55 to 65 weight % ofPolymer A and 35 to 45 weight % of Polymer B; and 55 to 60 weight % ofPolymer A and 40 to 45 weight % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: 60 to 99 weight % of Polymer A and 1 to 40 weight % of PolymerB; 60 to 95 weight % of Polymer A and 5 to 40 weight % of Polymer B; 60to 90 weight % of Polymer A and 10 to 40 weight % of Polymer B; 60 to 85weight % of Polymer A and 15 to 40 weight % of Polymer B; 60 to 80weight % of Polymer A and 20 to 40 weight % of Polymer B; 60 to 75weight % of Polymer A and 25 to 40 weight % of Polymer B; and 60 to 70weight % of Polymer A and 30 to 40 weight % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: 65 to 99 weight % of Polymer A and 1 to 35 weight % of PolymerB; 65 to 95 weight % of Polymer A and 5 to 35 weight % of Polymer B; 65to 90 weight % of Polymer A and 10 to 35 weight % of Polymer B; 65 to 85weight % of Polymer A and 15 to 35 weight % of Polymer B; 65 to 80weight % of Polymer A and 20 to 35 weight % of Polymer B; 65 to 75weight % of Polymer A and 25 to 35 weight % of Polymer B; and 65 to 70weight % of Polymer A and 30 to 35 weight % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: 70 to 99 weight % of Polymer A and 1 to 30 weight % of PolymerB; 70 to 95 weight % of Polymer A and 5 to 30 weight % of Polymer B; 70to 90 weight % of Polymer A and 10 to 30 weight % of Polymer B; 70 to 85weight % of Polymer A and 15 to 30 weight % of Polymer B; 70 to 80weight % of Polymer A and 20 to 30 weight % of Polymer B; 70 to 75weight % of Polymer A and 25 to 30 weight % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: 75 to 99 weight % of Polymer A and 1 to 25 weight % of PolymerB; 75 to 95 weight % of Polymer A and 5 to 25 weight % of Polymer B; 75to 90 weight % of Polymer A and 10 to 25 weight % of Polymer B; and 75to 85 weight % of Polymer A and 15 to 25 weight % of Polymer B.

In certain embodiments, the polymer blends of the invention can includebut are not limited to at least one of the following combinations ofranges: 80 to 99 weight % of Polymer A and 1 to 20 weight % of PolymerB; 80 to 95 weight % of Polymer A and 5 to 20 weight % of Polymer B; 80to 90 weight % of Polymer A and 10 to 20 weight % of Polymer B.

For any of the ranges noted for Polymer A and Polymer B, it iscontemplated that Polymer B can be any polymer. For any of the rangesnoted for Polymer A and Polymer B, it is contemplated that Polymer B canbe any type of polycarbonate. For any of the ranges noted for Polymer Aand Polymer B, it is contemplated that Polymer B can be bisphenol Apolycarbonate or copolyestercarbonates or the polycarbonates asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,322, incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

Suitable examples of the polymeric components for Polymer B include, butare not limited to, nylon; polyesters different than those describedherein; polyamides such as ZYTEL® from DuPont; polystyrene; polystyrenecopolymers; styrene acrylonitrile copolymers; acrylonitrile butadienestyrene copolymers; poly(methylmethacrylate); acrylic copolymers;poly(ether-imides) such as ULTEM® (a poly(ether-imide) from GeneralElectric); polyphenylene oxides such as poly(2,6-dimethylphenyleneoxide) or poly(phenylene oxide)/polystyrene blends such as NORYL 1000®(a blend of poly(2,6-dimethylphenylene oxide) and polystyrene resinsfrom General Electric); polyphenylene sulfides; polyphenylenesulfide/sulfones; poly(ester-carbonates); polycarbonates such as LEXAN®(a polycarbonate from General Electric); bisphenol polycarbonate;polysulfones; polysulfone ethers; and poly(ether-ketones) of aromaticdihydroxy compounds; or mixtures of any of the foregoing polymers.

The blends of the invention can be prepared by conventional processingtechniques known in the art, such as melt blending or solution blending.In one embodiment, polycarbonate is not present in the polyestercomposition. If polycarbonate is used in a blend in the polyestercompositions of the invention, the blends can be visually clear.However, polyester compositions useful in the invention also contemplatethe exclusion of polycarbonate as well as the inclusion ofpolycarbonate.

Polycarbonates useful in the invention may be prepared according toknown procedures, for example, by reacting the dihydroxyaromaticcompound with a carbonate precursor such as phosgene, a haloformate or acarbonate ester, a molecular weight regulator, an acid acceptor and acatalyst.

Polycarbonates useful in the invention may be any polycarbonate known inthe art including but not limited to bisphenol A polycarbonates. Otheruseful polycarbonates can be used such as those described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,043,322. Methods for preparing polycarbonates are known in the artand are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,933, where thedisclosure regarding the preparation of polycarbonates is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

The polycarbonates useful in the polyester compositions of the inventionalso may be copolyestercarbonates such as those described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,169,121; 3,207,814; 4,194,038; 4,156,069; 4,430,484, 4,465,820,and 4,981,898, where the disclosure regarding copolyestercarbonates fromeach of the U.S. patents is incorporated by reference herein.

Copolyestercarbonates useful in this invention can be availablecommercially and/or may be prepared by known methods in the art. Forexample, they can be typically obtained by the reaction of at least onedihydroxyaromatic compound with a mixture of phosgene and at least onedicarboxylic acid chloride, especially isophthaloyl chloride,terephthaloyl chloride, or both.

The polycarbonates comprising component (A) of the above-describedembodiment of the present invention may be prepared according to knownprocedures by reacting the dihydroxyaromatic compound with a carbonateprecursor such as phosgene, a haloformate or a carbonate ester, amolecular weight regulator, an acid acceptor and a catalyst. Methods forpreparing polycarbonates are known in the art and are described, forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,933, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

Examples of suitable carbonate precursors include carbonyl bromide,carbonyl chloride, and mixtures thereof; diphenyl carbonate; adi(halophenyl)-carbonate, e.g., di(trichlorophenyl)carbonate,di(tribromophenyl)carbonate, and the like; di(alkylphenyl)carbonate,e.g., di(tolyl)carbonate; di(naphthyl)carbonate;di(chloronaphthyl)carbonate, or mixtures thereof; and bis-haloformatesof dihydric phenols.

Examples of suitable molecular weight regulators include phenol,cyclohexanol, methanol, alkylated phenols, such as octylphenol,para-tertiary-butyl-phenol, and the like. The preferred molecular weightregulator is phenol or an alkylated phenol.

The acid acceptor may be either an organic or an inorganic acidacceptor. A suitable organic acid acceptor is a tertiary amine andincludes such materials as pyridine, triethylamine, dimethylaniline,tributylamine, and the like. The inorganic acid acceptor can be either ahydroxide, a carbonate, a bicarbonate, or a phosphate of an alkali oralkaline earth metal.

The catalysts that can be used are those that typically aid thepolymerization of the monomer with phosgene. Suitable catalysts includetertiary amines such as triethylamine, tripropylamine,N,N-dimethylaniline, quanternary ammonium compounds such as, forexample, tetraethylammonium bromide, cetyl triethyl ammonium bromide,tetra-n-heptylammonium iodide, tetra-n-propyl ammonium bromide,tetramethyl ammonium chloride, tetra-methyl ammonium hydroxide,tetra-n-butyl ammonium iodide, benzyltrimethyl ammonium chloride andquaternary phosphonium compounds such as, for example, n-butyltriphenylphosphonium bromide and methyltriphenyl phosphonium bromide.

The polycarbonate of component (A) also may be a copolyestercarbonatesuch as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,169,121; 3,207,814;4,194,038; 4,156,069; 4,430,484, 4,465,820, and 4,981,898, all of whichare incorporated by reference herein.

Copolyestercarbonates useful in this invention are availablecommercially. They are typically obtained by the reaction of at leastone dihydroxyaromatic compound with a mixture of phosgene and at leastone dicarboxylic acid chloride, especially isophthaloyl chloride,terephthaloyl chloride, or both.

Other polycarbonates useful in the invention are described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,043,322, incorporated herein by reference.

The ratio of polyester of the invention to polycarbonate may bedetermined by the individual practitioner of this invention. Typically,the weight ratio of polyester of the invention to polycarbonate willrange from about 99:1 to about 1:99, preferably from about 75:25 toabout 25:75, and most preferably is about 75:25 to about 50:50.

In addition, the polyester compositions and the polymer blendcompositions useful in the invention may also contain additives in anyamount such as from 0.01 to 25% by weight based on the total weight ofthe overall composition. Common additives can be colorants, dyes, moldrelease agents, flame retardants, plasticizers, nucleating agents,stabilizers, including but not limited to, UV stabilizers, thermalstabilizers and/or reaction products thereof, fillers, and impactmodifiers. Examples of typical commercially available impact modifierswell known in the art and useful in this invention include, but are notlimited to, ethylene/propylene terpolymers, functionalized polyolefinssuch as those containing methyl acrylate and/or glycidyl methacrylate,styrene-based block copolymeric impact modifiers, and various acryliccore/shell type impact modifiers. Residues of such additives are alsocontemplated as part of the polyester composition

Reinforcing materials may be useful in the compositions of thisinvention. The reinforcing materials may include, but are not limitedto, carbon filaments, silicates, mica, clay, talc, titanium dioxide,Wollastonite, glass flakes, glass beads and fibers, and polymeric fibersand combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the reinforcing materialsinclude glass, such as, fibrous glass filaments, mixtures of glass andtalc, glass and mica, and glass and polymeric fibers.

Suitable catalysts for use in the processes of the invention to make thepolyesters useful in the invention include at least one titaniumcompound. The polyester compositions of the invention may also compriseat least one of the titanium compounds useful in the processes of theinvention. Other catalysts could possibly be used in the invention incombination with at least one titanium compound Other catalysts mayinclude, but are not limited to, those based on tin, gallium, zinc,antimony, cobalt, manganese, magnesium, germanium, lithium, aluminumcompounds, and an aluminum compound with lithium hydroxide or sodiumhydroxide. In one embodiment, the catalyst can be a combination of atleast one tin compound and at least one titanium compound.

Catalyst amounts can range from 10 ppm to 20,000 ppm or 10 to 10,000ppm, or 10 to 5000 ppm or 10 to 1000 ppm or 10 to 500 ppm, or 10 to 300ppm or 10 to 250 ppm based on the catalyst metal and based on the weightof the final polymer. The process can be carried out in either a batchor continuous process. In one embodiment, the catalyst is a titaniumcompound. In one embodiment, the catalyst is solely a titanium compound.In one embodiment, the titanium compound can be used in either theesterification reaction or the polycondensation reaction or bothreactions. In another embodiment, the catalyst is solely a titaniumcompound useful in the polyesters useful in the esterification reaction.

When titanium is added to the polyesters and/or polyester compositionsand/or process of making the polyesters of the invention, it is added tothe process of making the polyester in the form of a titanium compound.The amount of the titanium compound added to the polyesters of theinvention and/or polyester compositions of the invention and/orprocesses of the invention can be measured in the form of titanium atomspresent in the final polyester, for example, by weight measured in ppm.

The polyesters in general may be prepared by condensing the dicarboxylicacid or dicarboxylic acid ester with the glycol in the presence of thetitanium catalyst described herein at elevated temperatures increasedgradually during the course of the condensation up to a temperature ofabout 225°-310° C., in an inert atmosphere, and conducting thecondensation at low pressure during the latter part of the condensation.

The invention further relates to the film(s) and/or sheet(s) comprisingthe polyester compositions of the invention. The methods of forming thepolyesters into film(s) and/or sheet(s) are well known in the art.Examples of film(s) and/or sheet(s) of the invention including but notlimited to extruded film(s) and/or sheet(s), calendered film(s) and/orsheet(s), compression molded film(s) and/or sheet(s), solution castedfilm(s) and/or sheet(s). Methods of making film and/or sheet include butare not limited to extrusion, calendering, compression molding, andsolution casting.

The invention further relates to bottles described herein. These bottlesinclude, but are not limited to, injection blow molded bottles,injection stretch blow molded bottles, extrusion blow molded bottles,and extrusion stretch blow molded bottles. Methods of making bottlesinclude but are not limited to extrusion blow molding, extrusion stretchblow molding, thermoforming, injection blow molding, and injectionstretch blow molding. In each case, the invention further relates to thepreforms (or parisons) used to make each of said bottles.

For the purposes of this invention, the term “wt” means “weight”.

The following examples further illustrate how the polyesters of theinvention can be made and evaluated, and are intended to be purelyexemplary of the invention and are not intended to limit the scopethereof. Unless indicated otherwise, parts are parts by weight,temperature is in degrees C. or is at room temperature, and pressure isat or near atmospheric.

Examples

The following examples illustrate in general how a polyester is preparedand the effect of using 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (andvarious cis/trans mixtures) on various polyester properties such astoughness, glass transition temperature, inherent viscosity, etc.,compared to polyesters comprising 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and/orethylene glycol residues, but lacking2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol. Additionally, based on thefollowing examples, the skilled artisan will understand how thephosphorus species useful in the invention can be used in thepreparation of polyesters containing them.

Measurement Methods

The inherent viscosity of the polyesters was determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.,and is reported in dL/g.

Color values reported herein are CIELAB L*, a*, and b* values measuredfollowing ASTM D 6290-98 and ASTM E308-99, using measurements from aHunter Lab Ultrascan XE Spectrophotometer (Hunter Associates LaboratoryInc., Reston, Va.) with the following parameters: (1) D65 illuminant,(2) 10 degree observer, (3) reflectance mode with specular angleincluded, (4) large area view, (5) 1″ port size. The measurements wereperformed on polymer granules ground to pass a 6 mm sieve according tothe L*, a* and b* color system of the CIE (International Commission onIllumination).

The following abbreviations apply throughout the working examples andfigures:

TPA Terephthalic acid DMT Dimethyl terephthalate EG Ethylene Glycol CHDM1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol IV Inherent viscosity - dL/g XRF X-rayfluorescence ICP Inductively coupled plasma SCFH Standard cubit feet perhour P Phosphorus Ti Titanium PETG Glycol modified PET preparedaccording to the applicable example RPM Rounds per minute TitaniumTitanium Isopropoxide, unless otherwise stated Wt Weight g gram ppmparts per million

The invention has been described in detail with reference to theembodiments disclosed herein, but it will be understood that variationsand modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

EXAMPLES Examples Based on Terephthalic Acid as a Starting MaterialExample 1 Oligomer Preparation—Pilot Plant Scale

An oligomeric material was prepared from terephthalic acid (TPA),ethylene glycol (EG), and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM). Synthesiswas carried out in a 120-gallon HASLELLOY reactor which is fitted withthree sets of turbine agitators and a heated reflux column. To the120-gallon reactor under a 20 SCFH nitrogen purge and with the heatedreflux column at 190° C., 702.24 gram-moles of EG and 148.68 gram-molesof CHDM were charged. The agitator was started and the TPA was slowlyadded. The reactor was then pressurized to 45 psig using nitrogen gasand maintained at 45 psig throughout the esterification stage. Over aperiod of 14 hours and 10 minutes the temperature of the reactionmixture was ramped to 230° C. When the reaction mixture was 230° C. at45 psig pressure, it was held for 80 minutes. Immediately after the 80minute hold period, the temperature of the reaction mixture wasincreased to 250° C. When the reaction mixture was 250° C. at 45 psig,it was held for 70 minutes. After the 70 minute hold at 250° C. and 45psig, the pressure was decreased to 10 psig. When the pressure was 10psig, the reaction mixture was held at 250° C. and 10 psig for 20minutes. After the 10 minute hold at 250° C. and 10 psig, the reactorpressure was reduced to 0 psig and the reactor was purged with 20 SCFHnitrogen. The molten reaction mixture was drained into 5-gallonopen-head metal buckets. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to 23°C. The cooled reaction mixture was broken up and then ground in agrinder to <8-mm size.

By GC analysis the resulting oligomer material contained 68.72 mol % EGmoiety, 27.37 mol % CHDM moiety, and 3.55 mol % diethylene glycolmoiety.

113 grams of oligomer were used for each experiment.

Example 2 Catalyst Solution Preparation

Catalyst Solution: The catalyst used was titanium(IV) isopropoxide inethylene glycol solution. The catalyst solution was analyzed to be 0.33wt % in titanium.

Preparation of Merpol®A/Ethylene Glycol Solution: Merpol®A and ethyleneglycol were combined in a clear 8 oz narrow-mouthed jar and magneticallystirred at 225° C. for one hour to achieve a clear and colorlesssolution. (See Table #1)

TABLE 1 Merpol ® A Ethylene Glycol XRF (g) (g) (wt % P) Example 2 11.3688.64 1.09

Example 3 Preparation of 1,2-Ethylenediphosphonic Acid/Ethylene GlycolSolution

1,2-ethylenediphosphonic acid and ethylene glycol were combined in a inclear 8 oz narrow-mouthed jar and magnetically stirred at roomtemperature for one hour to achieve a slightly cloudy and colorlesssolution. The solution was then heated to 60° C. for 15 minutes toachieve a clear and colorless solution. (See Table #2)

TABLE 2 1,2-Ethylene- Ethylene Glycol XRF diphosphonic Acid (g) (g) (wt% P) Example 3 3.37 96.63 1.06

Example 4 Preparation of Etidronic Acid/Ethylene Glycol Solution

Etidronic acid (60 weight percent in water) and ethylene glycol werecombined in a in clear 8 oz narrow-mouthed jar and magnetically stirredat room temperature for one hour to achieve a colorless solution. (SeeTable #3)

TABLE 3 Etidronic acid Ethylene Glycol ICP (g) (g) (wt % P) Example 46.10 93.90 1.04

Example 5 Polymer Synthesis

PETG Catalyst Deactivation and Color Inhibition: Titanium catalyzed PETGpolymers incorporating phosphorus-based compounds were prepared in alaboratory process incorporating typical polymer rigs and associatedhardware. PETG oligomer and target quantities of titaniumtetraisopropoxide/butanol, and phosphorus/ethylene glycol solutions werecharged up front to a 500 mL round-bottom flask (See Table #4 and Table#5). Heating was accomplished using a Belmont metal bath in contact witha heating mantle. Agitation was provided by a motorized stirring systemand a stainless steel one quarter inch diameter rod with an anchorshaped agitation head which was placed in a 500 ml round-bottom flaskcontaining raw materials. The agitator was held in place by a septaequipped polymer head. Connected to the polymer head was a glass sidearm through which liquids were removed during the polymerization. Liquidby-products were trapped using a 500 mL vacuum flask (condensatereceiver) which was placed in a stainless steel bucket filled with dryice. The condensate flask was connected through vacuum tubing to a dryice/IpOH trap, which was connected by vacuum tubing to a standard labvacuum pump. Prior to use, glassware was cleaned in a potassiumhydroxide/isopropyl alcohol bath followed by an Alconox/water wash,water rinse, and drying.

TABLE 4 Catalyst solution charges Titanium Merpol ® A/ 1,2- EtidronicIsopropoxide/ EG ethylenediphos- acid/EG EG Example EG Charge Chargephonic Acid/EG charge Charge Number (g) (g) Charge (g) (g) (g) Example5A 0.5454 0.5047 Example 5B 0.5454 0.5051 Example 5C 0.5458 0.5042Example 5D 0.5450 0.5042 Example 5E 0.5455 0.2165 0.3013 Example 5F0.5450 0.2163 0.3013 Example 5G 0.5456 0.2166 0.3011 Example 5H 0.54540.2172 0.3015 Example 5I 0.5454 0.5140 Example 5J 0.5454 0.5140 Example5K 0.5454 0.5140 Example 5L 0.5454 0.5140 Example 5M 0.5454 0.2150Example 5N 0.5454 0.2150

The Camile monitoring and process control system provided automatedcontrol of temperature, vacuum, and agitation during the polymerization.

The following Camile sequence was executed:

TABLE 5 PTA Camile sequence Time Temp Vacuum Stir Stage Number (min) (°C.) (torr) (RPM) 1 0.1 265 760 0 2 5 265 760 30 3 5 265 130 100 4 73 265130 100 5 10 265 3 100 6 70 270 3 100 7 10 278 0.3 50 8 60 278 0.3 50 92 278 650 50 10 1 278 650 50 11 1 278 140 50 12 5 278 140 50 13 2 300400 0 14 2 300 760 0

The resulting PETG polymer was removed from the stir rod, chilled inliquid nitrogen, and ground to 3 mm particles in a Wiley Mill. PETGgrinds were submitted for X-ray fluorescence, IV, and Appearanceanalysis.

TPA Based Data:

The data in the following table show that 1,2-ethylene diphosphonic acidand etridronic acid, when added at levels that lead to a similaractivity of merpol A, improve polymer b* by 30-50%.

TABLE 6 Example# Ti (ppm) P (ppm) IV L* a* b* Titanium + Merpol AExample 5A 18.3 43.4 0.755 59.46 0.41 24.60 Example 5B 18.3 41.6 0.74374.14 −1.19 20.48 Example 5C 18.3 52.8 0.770 59.93 −0.23 24.89 Example5D 18.5 45.0 0.766 59.06 0.37 24.83 Titanium + 1,2-ethylene diphosphonicacid Example 5E 18.370 24.0 0.709 81.28 −2.05 14.34 Example 5F 18.35825.0 0.702 81.83 −1.51 14.91 Example 5G 19.520 24.0 0.645 73.57 −0.9718.60 Example 5H 18.639 23.0 0.647 71.01 −0.15 18.25 Titanium +etidronic acid Example 5I 19.5 38.6 0.741 76.36 −1.13 9.79 Example 5J19.3 39.7 0.736 77.99 −1.08 10.37 Example 5K 21.5 40.9 0.748 76.43 −1.2210.11 Example 5L 19.2 40.7 0.739 78.30 −1.03 10.40 Example 5M 19.2 21.60.844 75.44 −2.24 15.09 Example 5N 19.0 20.7 0.811 76.51 −2.23 14.41

Example 6 DMT-Based Samples

The same catalyst and deactivator solutions were used for the DMT andTPA based experiments. Titanium catalyzed PETG polymers prepared fromDMT and incorporating phosphorus-based catalyst deactivation/colorinhibition were prepared in a laboratory process incorporating typicalpolymer rigs and associated hardware. Target quantities of DMT, ethyleneglycol, CHDM, and titanium tetraisopropoxide/butanol were charged upfront to a 500 mL round bottom flask (See Table #6 and Table #7).Heating was accomplished using a Belmont metal bath in contact with aheating mantle. Agitation was provided by a motorized stirring systemand a stainless steel one quarter inch diameter rod with an anchorshaped agitation head which was placed in a 500 ml round-bottom flaskcontaining raw materials. The agitator was held in place by a septaequipped polymer head. Connected to the polymer head was a glass sidearm through which liquids were removed during ester exchange andpolymerization. Liquid by-products were trapped using a 500 mL vacuumflask (condensate receiver) which was placed in a stainless steel bucketfilled with dry ice. The condensate flask was connected through vacuumtubing to a dry ice/IpOH trap, which was connected by vacuum tubing to astandard lab vacuum pump. Prior to use, glassware was cleaned in apotassium hydroxide/isopropyl alcohol bath followed by an Alconox/waterwash, water rinse, and drying. The reaction flask was 50% submergedinitially. Phosphorus/ethylene glycol solutions were added to thereaction flask at stage 6 of the Camile recipe, and the flask was fullysubmerged at stage 7 (See Camile recipe and Table #7 below).

The Camile monitoring and process control system provided automatedcontrol of temperature, vacuum, and agitation during the polymerization.

The following Camile sequence was executed:

TABLE 7 DMT Camile sequence Time Temp Vacuum Stir Stage Number (min) (°C.) (torr) (RPM) 1 0.1 200 760 0 2 10 200 760 200 3 60 200 760 200 4 .1215 760 200 5 60 215 760 200 6 1 270 760 200 7 20 270 760 50 8 3 270 0.750 9 30 275 0.7 50 10 .1 275 0.5 50 11 60 275 0.5 50 12 2 285 400 0 13 1285 760 0

The resulting PETG polymer was removed from the stir rod, chilled inliquid nitrogen, and ground to 3 mm particles in a Wiley Mill. Thepolymer particles were submitted for X-ray fluorescence, IV, andappearance analysis.

TABLE 8 Raw material charges DMT CHDM EG Target Target Example ChargeCharge Charge Titanium Phosphorus Number (g) (g) (g) (ppm) (ppm)Titanium only Example 6A 89.25 20.74 48.12 18 0 Example 6B 89.22 20.7748.11 18 0 Example 6C 89.23 20.73 48.11 18 0 Titanium + 1,2-ethylenediphosphonic acid Example 6D 89.27 20.76 48.10 18 23 Example 6E 89.2420.77 48.12 18 23 Titanium + Merpol A Example 6F 89.21 20.72 48.11 18 55Example 6G 89.22 20.74 48.13 18 55

TABLE 9 Catalyst solution charges Titanium Merpol ® A/ 1,2-Isopropoxide/ EG ethylenediphos- Compensation Example EG Charge Chargephonic Acid/EG EG Charge Number (g) (g) Charge (g) (g) Titanium onlyExample 6A 0.7277 Example 6B 0.7278 Example 6C 0.7274 Titanium +1,2-ethylene diphosphonic acid Example 6D 0.7275 0.2169 0.3020 Example6E 0.7275 0.2172 0.3019 Titanium + Merpol A Example 6F 0.7271 0.5045Example 6G 0.7273 0.5047DMT Based Data:

TABLE 10 Example# Ti (ppm) P (ppm) IV (PM95) L* a* b* Titanium onlyExample 6A 26.1 1.0 0.862 79.25 −2.61 13.21 Example 6B 26.6 0.5 0.85380.37 −2.07 11.86 Example 6C 26.1 0 0.950 83.53 −2.22 15.60 Titanium +1,2-ethylene diphosphonic acid Example 6D 26.1 23.8 0.788 78.11 −0.326.85 Example 6E 27.2 24.8 0.782 76.54 −0.66 7.06 Titanium + Merpol AExample 6F 26.3 36.7 0.782 75.54 −1.49 10.25 Example 6G 26.6 37.7 0.78776.79 −1.45 9.18Blending Experiments (Extruder Scale)

All polyester-polycarbonate compositions were made by extruding usingeither 70/30 weight blend or a 50/50 by weight blend of (1) a polyestercomprised of 100 mole percent terephthalic acid residues, 38 molepercent ethylene glycol residues and 62 mole percent1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues having an inherent viscosity of about0.73 (2) a bisphenol A polycarbonate supplied by Bayer as Makrolon 2608polycarbonate and (3) the additive concentrate noted as either AdditiveA, Additive B, or Additive C. All additive concentrates are based on apolyester comprised of 100 mole percent terephthalic acid residues, 38mole percent ethylene glycol residues and 62 mole percent1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residue. Additive A is 5 weight percent %Weston 619 added to the polyester to make a concentrate. Additive B is 4weight percent phosphorous acid salt added to the polyester to make aconcentrate. Additive C is 2 weight percent of 1,2 ethanebisphosphonicacid added to the polyester to make a concentrate. The additives arethen blended with the polyester/polycarbonate blends at various ratiosto be described.

The blends were made on a 1.5″ 30:1 L/D Sterling single screwcompounding extruder having a medium shear screw design. All zonetemperatures and adapters were set to 260 degree. C. except for Zone 1that was set at 240.degree. C and the strand die that was set at 250° C.The feed zone was cooled by circulating water and the screw speed wasset to 80 revolution per minute (rpm). The material was dried separatelywith the polyester being dried at 65 degree C. for 8 hours and thepolycarbonate being dried at 120 degree C. for 8 hrs. The additiveconcentrates were dried at 65 degree C. for 8 hours. The polycarbonatesample was cooled to 65 degree C. prior to blending with the polyestersand the additive concentrates.

The first 5 minutes of extrudate was not collected in order to ensurethe extruder had been adequately purged. When multiple concentrations ofthe same mixture of additives were extruded, the lower concentrations ofadditives always were extruded first. Samples were collected after thestrands were quenched in a water bath prior to being chopped intopellets using a Conair pelletizing cutter.

The color of the polymer pellets is determined in a conventional mannerusing a HunterLab UltraScan Colorimeter manufactured by HunterAssociates Laboratory, Inc., Reston, Va. The instrument is operatedusing HunterLab Universal Software (version 3.8). Calibration andoperation of the instrument is according to the HunterLab User Manualand is largely directed by the Universal Software. To reproduce theresults on any colorimeter, run the instrument according to itsinstructions and use the following testing parameters: D65 Light Source(daylight, 6500.degree. K color temperature), Reflectance Mode, LargeArea View, Specular Included, CIE 10.degree. Observer, Outputs are CIEL*, a*, b*. The pellets are placed in a holder that is 25 mm deep by 55mm wide and high. The holder is black with a window on one side. Duringtesting, the clear side of the holder is held at the reflectance port ofthe calorimeter as is normally done when testing in reflectance mode. Anincrease in the positive b* value indicates yellowness, while a decreasein the numerical value of b* indicates a reduction in yellowness. Colormeasurement and practice are discussed in greater detail in AnniBerger-Schunn in Practical Color Measurement, Wiley, NY pages 39-56 and91-98 (1994). Preferably, the b* value is less than +4, more preferablyfrom about +1 to about +2.

Examples 7-12 and Comparative Examples 1-10 Comparative Example 1

70 weight percent of polyester was blended with 30 weight percentpolycarbonate and extruded into pellets on a Sterling extruder. Thepellets were captured and color was measured on the pellets. The datacan be observed in Table 1.

Comparative Example 2

70 weight percent of polyester was blended with 30 weight percentpolycarbonate and 750 ppm active KA201 stabilizer. The blend was thenextruded into pellets on a Sterling extruder. The pellets were capturedand color was measured on the pellets. The data can be observed in Table1.

Comparative Example 3

70 weight percent of polyester was blended with 30 weight percentpolycarbonate and 500 ppm active KA201 stabilizer. The blend was thenextruded into pellets on a Sterling extruder. The pellets were capturedand color was measured on the pellets. The data can be observed in Table1.

Comparative Example 4

70 weight percent of polyester was blended with 30 weight percentpolycarbonate and 500 ppm active KA202 stabilizer. The blend was thenextruded into pellets on a Sterling extruder. The pellets were capturedand color was measured on the pellets. The data can be observed in Table1.

Comparative Example 5

70 weight percent of polyester was blended with 30 weight percentpolycarbonate and 1000 ppm active KA202 stabilizer. The blend was thenextruded into pellets on a Sterling extruder. The pellets were capturedand color was measured on the pellets. The data can be observed in Table1.

Example 7

70 weight percent of polyester was blended with 30 weight percentpolycarbonate and 250 ppm active EX640-20A stabilizer. The blend wasthen extruded into pellets on a Sterling extruder. The pellets werecaptured and color was measured on the pellets. The data can be observedin Table 1 and shows improved b* reduction relative to comparativeexample 1 and similar b* reduction to the other stabilization systemseven at reduced loadings.

Example 8

70 weight percent of polyester was blended with 30 weight percentpolycarbonate and 500 ppm active EX640-20A stabilizer. The blend wasthen extruded into pellets on a Sterling extruder. The pellets werecaptured and color was measured on the pellets. The data can be observedin Table 1 and shows improved b* reduction relative to comparativeexample 1 and similar b* reduction to the other stabilization systemseven at reduced loadings.

Example 9

70 weight percent of polyester was blended with 30 weight percentpolycarbonate and 1000 ppm active EX640-20A stabilizer. The blend wasthen extruded into pellets on a Sterling extruder. The pellets werecaptured and color was measured on the pellets. The data can be observedin Table 1 and shows improved b* reduction relative to comparativeexample 1 and similar b* reduction to the other stabilization systems.

Comparative Example 6

50 weight percent of polyester was blended with 50 weight percentpolycarbonate and extruded into pellets on a Sterling extruder. Thepellets were captured and color was measured on the pellets. The datacan be observed in Table 1.

Comparative Example 7

50 weight percent of polyester was blended with 50 weight percentpolycarbonate and 750 ppm active KA201 stabilizer. The blend was thenextruded into pellets on a Sterling extruder. The pellets were capturedand color was measured on the pellets. The data can be observed in Table1.

Comparative Example 8

50 weight percent of polyester was blended with 50 weight percentpolycarbonate and 500 ppm active KA201 stabilizer. The blend was thenextruded into pellets on a Sterling extruder. The pellets were capturedand color was measured on the pellets. The data can be observed in Table1.

Comparative Example 9

50 weight percent of polyester was blended with 50 weight percentpolycarbonate and 500 ppm active KA202 stabilizer. The blend was thenextruded into pellets on a Sterling extruder. The pellets were capturedand color was measured on the pellets. The data can be observed in Table1.

Comparative Example 10

50 weight percent of polyester was blended with 50 weight percentpolycarbonate and 1000 ppm active KA202 stabilizer. The blend was thenextruded into pellets on a Sterling extruder. The pellets were capturedand color was measured on the pellets. The data can be observed in Table1.

Example 10

50 weight percent of polyester was blended with 50 weight percentpolycarbonate and 250 ppm active EX640-20A stabilizer. The blend wasthen extruded into pellets on a Sterling extruder. The pellets werecaptured and color was measured on the pellets. The data can be observedin Table 1 and shows improved b* reduction relative to comparativeexample 1 and similar b* reduction to the other stabilization systemseven at reduced loadings.

Example 11

50 weight percent of polyester was blended with 50 weight percentpolycarbonate and 500 ppm active EX640-20A stabilizer. The blend wasthen extruded into pellets on a Sterling extruder. The pellets werecaptured and color was measured on the pellets. The data can be observedin Table 1 and shows improved b* reduction relative to comparativeexample 1 and similar b* reduction to the other stabilization systemseven at reduced loadings.

Example 12

50 weight percent of polyester was blended with 50 weight percentpolycarbonate and 1000 ppm active EX640-20A stabilizer. The blend wasthen extruded into pellets on a Sterling extruder. The pellets werecaptured and color was measured on the pellets. The data can be observedin Table 1 and shows improved b* reduction relative to comparativeexample 1 and similar b* reduction to the other stabilization systems.

TABLE 11 Stabilizer Concentrate Active Pellet Color Example Type % (ppm)L* a* b* 70% Polyester (1)/30% Polycarbonate (2) CE #1 None 0% 0 61.29−0.89 2.46 CE #2 Additive A 1.5%   750 62.24 −0.93 0.57 CE #3 Additive A3% 1500 62.11 −0.92 −0.12 CE #4 Additive B 1% 500 63.28 −0.97 0.71 CE #5Additive B 2% 1000 63.41 −0.99 0.76 Example Additive C 1.25%   250 62.71−0.75 0.74 #7 Example Additive C 2.5%   500 63.1 −0.7 0.65 #8 ExampleAdditive C 5% 1000 62.34 −0.64 1.09 #9 50% Polyester (1)/50%Polycarbonate (2) CE #6 None 0% 0 62.37 −0.78 3.64 CE #7 Additive A1.5%   750 64.02 −0.87 1.05 CE #8 Additive A 3% 1500 63.65 −0.83 0.28 CE#9 Additive B 1% 500 63.46 −0.86 1.17 CE #10 Additive B 2% 1000 64.42−0.83 1.18 Example Additive C 1.25%   250 63.68 −0.67 1.07 #10 ExampleAdditive C 2.5%   500 63.57 −0.65 1.17 #11 Example Additive C 5% 100063.87 −0.6 1.81 #12

The invention has been described in detail with reference to theembodiments disclosed herein, but it will be understood that variationsand modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A polymer blend comprising (A) a polyestercomposition comprising (I) at least one polyester (Polymer A) whichcomprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to 100mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromaticdicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and (iii) 0 to10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbonatoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) about 10 to about 90mole % of ethylene glycol residues; and (ii) about 90 to about 10 mole %of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; (II) residues of at least onetitanium compound; and (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species,reaction products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by thestructure:

wherein: n=an integer from 1 to 4; R is hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and R1and R2 are each hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or aryl: wherein thetotal mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, whereinthe total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and wherein theinherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/g asdetermined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentrationof 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.; and (B) at least one polycarbonate (PolymerB), wherein said polyester (Polymer A) has a phosphorus atom to titaniumatom ratio in the final product of from 1:1 to 5:1.
 2. The polyesterblend of claim 1 wherein R is hydrogen.
 3. A polymer blend comprising(A) a polyester composition comprising (I) at least one polyester(Polymer A) which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid componentcomprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20carbon atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acidresidues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol componentcomprising: (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol residues;and (ii) about 90 to about 10 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues:(II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and (III) at least onechelating phosphorus species, reaction products thereof, or mixturesthereof, represented by the structure:

wherein: n=an integer from 1 to 4; R is C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and R1 and R2 areeach hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or aryl; wherein the total mole %of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, wherein the total mole% of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and wherein the inherentviscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/g as determined in60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.25 g/50ml at 25° C.; and (B) at least one polycarbonate (Polymer B).
 4. Thepolyester blend of claim 1 wherein R1 is C₁-C₂₂-alkyl.
 5. The polyesterblend of claim 1 wherein R1 is hydroxyl.
 6. The polyester blend of claim1 wherein R2 is C₁-C₂₂-alkyl.
 7. The polyester blend of claim 1 whereinR is hydrogen, R1 is hydroxyl and R2 is C₁-C₂₂-alkyl.
 8. The polyesterblend of claim 1 wherein R is hydrogen, R1 is hydroxyl, R2 is methyl andn is
 1. 9. A polymer blend comprising (A) a polyester compositioncomprising (I) at least one polyester (Polymer A) which comprises: (a) adicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % ofterephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylicacid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % ofaliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and(b) a glycol component comprising: (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % ofethylene glycol residues; and (ii) about 90 to about 10 mole % ofcyclohexanedimethanol residues; (II) residues of at least one titaniumcompound; and (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reactionproducts thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the structure:

wherein: n=a 2; R is hydrogen; and R1 and R2 are each hydrogen; whereinthe total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %,wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; andwherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/gas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.; and (B) at least onepolycarbonate (Polymer B).
 10. The polyester blend of claim 1 whereinthe polyester (Polymer A) comprises 20 to 80 mole % of1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues and 20 to 80 mole % of ethyleneglycol residues.
 11. The polyester blend of claim 1 wherein thepolyester (Polymer A) comprises 20 to 60 mole % of1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues and 40 to 80 mole % of ethyleneglycol residues.
 12. The polyester blend of claim 1 wherein thepolyester (Polymer A) comprises 20 to 40 mole % of1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues and 60 to 80 mole % of ethyleneglycol residues.
 13. The polyester blend of claim 1 wherein thepolyester (Polymer A) comprises 25 to 40 mole % of1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues and 60 to 75 mole % of ethyleneglycol residues.
 14. The polyester blend of claim 1, wherein saidpolyester (Polymer A) has a Tg of 70 to 140° C.
 15. The polyester blendof claim 1, wherein said polyester (Polymer A) has a Tg of 80 to 120° C.16. The polyester blend of claim 1, wherein the dicarboxylic acidcomponent of the polyester (Polymer A) comprises 80 to 100 mole % ofterephthalic acid residues.
 17. The polyester blend of claim 1, whereinthe dicarboxylic acid component of the polyester (Polymer A) comprises90 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues.
 18. The polyester blendof claim 1, wherein said polyester comprises residues of modifyingglycols.
 19. The polyester blend of claim 1, wherein said polyester(Polymer A) comprises 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues.20. The polyester blend of claim 1, wherein said polycarbonate (PolymerB) is a bisphenol A polycarbonate.
 21. The polyester blend of claim 1,wherein said polyester (Polymer A) comprises residues of at least onebranching agent.
 22. The polyester blend of claim 21, wherein saidpolyester (Polymer A) comprises residues of at least one branching agentan amount of 0.01 to 10 mole % based on the total mole percentage of thediacid or diol residues.
 23. The polyester blend of claim 21, whereinsaid polyester (Polymer A) comprises residues of at least one branchingagent an amount of 0.01 to 5 mole % based on the total mole percentageof the diacid or diol residues.
 24. The polyester blend of claim 1,having a b* value of from −10 to less than 20 and the L* values can befrom 50 to 90 according to the L*, a* and b* color system of the CIE(International Commission on Illumination).
 25. A polymer blendcomprising (A) a polyester composition comprising (I) at least onepolyester (Polymer A) which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid componentcomprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues: (ii) 0to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20carbon atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acidresidues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol componentcomprising: (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol residues;and (ii) about 90 to about 10 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues;(II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and (III) at least onechelating phosphorus species, reaction products thereof, or mixturesthereof, represented by the structure:

wherein: n=an integer from 1 to 4; R is hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and R1and R2 are each hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or aryl; wherein thetotal mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, whereinthe total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and wherein theinherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/g asdetermined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentrationof 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.; and (B) at least one polycarbonate (PolymerB), wherein said polyester (Polymer A) has a phosphorus atom to titaniumatom ratio in the final product of 2:1.
 26. The polyester blend of claim1, wherein said polyester blend comprises at least one additive selectedfrom the group consisting of colorants, dyes, mold release agents, flameretardants, plasticizers, nucleating agents, UV stabilizers, glassfiber, carbon filaments, fillers, impact modifiers, or a mixturethereof.
 27. The polymer blend of claim 1 comprising about 40 weight %to about 80 weight % of Polymer A and about 20 to about 60 weight % ofPolymer B wherein the total weight percentages equal 100 weight % of thepolymer blend.
 28. The polymer blend of claim 1 comprising about 50weight % to about 70 weight % of Polymer A and about 30 to about 50weight % of Polymer B wherein the total weight percentages equal 100weight % of the polymer blend.
 29. A polymer blend comprising (A) apolyester composition comprising: (I) at least one polyester (Polymer A)which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % ofaromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and(iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having upto 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) about 10to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol residues; and (ii) about 90 toabout 10 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; (II) residues of atleast one titanium compound; and (III) at least one chelating phosphorusspecies, reaction products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented bythe structure:

wherein: n=an integer from 1 to 4; R is hydrogen or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl; and R1and R2 are each hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, hydroxyl, or aryl; wherein thetotal mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, whereinthe total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and wherein theinherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/g asdetermined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentrationof 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.; and (B) at least one bisphenol Apolycarbonate (Polymer B), wherein said polyester (Polymer A) has aphosphorus atom to titanium atom ratio in the final product of from 1:1to 5:1.
 30. The polymer blend of claim 29 comprising about 40 weight %to about 80 weight % of Polymer A and about 20 to about 60 weight % ofPolymer B wherein the total weight percentages equal 100 weight % of thepolymer blend.
 31. The polymer blend of claim 29 comprising about 50weight % to about 70 weight % of Polymer A and about 30 to about 50weight % of Polymer B wherein the total weight percentages equal 100weight % of the polymer blend.